Jefferson finishes seventh in directors’ cup standings

For the second-straight year, JHS ranked seventh in Class AA in the Georgia Athletic Directors’ Association standings with 718.5 points.

Jefferson was bolstered by a state championship in boys’ track along with two state titles in wrestling (traditional and dual championships) during the 2009-2010 school year.

Athletic director Tim Corbett, who doubles as head track coach, said he’d hoped for a higher finish but was certainly pleased with this past year’s results.

“For us to finish like that (seventh), I can’t complain a bit … It’s been a great year and a great group of kids,” Corbett said.

Jefferson also produced a Final Four appearance in boys’ basketball, a third-place finish in girls’ golf and an Elite Eight finish in boys’ tennis. The baseball, football and girls’ tennis teams all advanced to the second round of the state playoffs. With 459 points in boys’ athletics, Jefferson’s boys’ program rated seventh-best in Class AA. The school finished 15th in girls’ athletics with 259.5 points.

Corbett praised the support system surrounding Jefferson athletics, the coaches and the athletes — especially the senior leaders.

“I can’t say enough about the type of kids we have here,” Corbett said. “I know our coaches will attest to that.”

He added that Jefferson’s administration plays a vital role, with its support of extracurricular activities across the board.

“They definitely believe in the well-rounded student,” he said.

Corbett noted that the competition in moving up to Class AA has been tougher, with many of the top 10 schools offering a multitude of sports.

Westminster, a private school out of Atlanta, won the Class AA directors’ cup with 1,241 points. Blessed Trinity, a private school out of Roswell, was second with 1,133 points.

Jefferson’s region rivals, North Oconee, finished third with 1,011.5 points, marking the highest ranking for a public school. Jefferson rated third as far as public schools.

Corbett said he takes an interest in the directors’ cup standings and how Jefferson compares to the rest of the state.

“It’s a good measuring stick,” Corbett said. “Obviously, they’re taking everything into account. It makes me proud of the kids and of the coaches.”