Lake Norman Charter wins Wells Fargo Cup; high-school gym to be replaced after flood damage

Lake Norman Charter's athletic department told the board on Sept. 3 that the school won the 3A Wells Fargo Cup (best overall athletic program in the 3A classification in North Carolina) and will be presented a banner and trophy at halftime of the Oct. 3 football game.

Athletic director Blake said the Wells Fargo Cup recognizes overall playoff and postseason success across the school's teams and credited coaches, athletes, families and the community. "We were notified a couple weeks ago that we won the 3 a Wells Fargo Cup," Blake said, and noted that a Wells Fargo representative and an NCHSAA representative will join the halftime presentation.

Blake also reported a leak in the high-school gym that caused the floor boards to buckle and made the gym unplayable. The district has begun demolition and a full replacement of the floor; administrators expect the gym to return to use in roughly six to seven weeks so winter sports can resume home use. Administration said the damage is being handled as an insurance claim (a flood claim), the insurance company will cover the majority of costs, and the district will pay the deductible via a budget amendment at the next board meeting.

To minimize disruption while the gym is repaired, the school is partnering with Huntersville Parks & Rec to use its gyms for practices and is scheduling home contests in the middle-school gym as needed. Administration described the Huntersville partnership as critical to avoiding displacement of after-school care and minimizing travel for students.

What happens next: administrators will bring a budget amendment at the next meeting to cover the deductible, finalize repair timelines with contractors and coordinate the October halftime presentation and associated recognition events.