In the four-year history of the World Company Cup, Free State High has dominated the competition.

Aided by some of the best teams in school history, the Firebirds have outperformed Lawrence High in head-to-head meetings and have won the Cup in each of the first three years by convincing margins of victory.

The only time the Cup has left its spot on Deb Carpenter’s desk in the athletic office has been when we’ve taken it back to have it re-engraved or when we’ve borrowed it for the night to present it to the seniors the next day.

But that was then. This is now. And boy is now exciting.

As the spring seasons begin to get underway, the Lions and Firebirds are separated by just one point in the 2008-09 World Company Cup standings.

Free State built an early lead this fall and looked as if it was headed toward another run-away victory. But, behind the strength of a 4-1 advantage in boys and girls basketball, the Lions roared back in the winter sports and cut the gap to one.

The best part about this year’s battle coming down to the end of the season is that it could amp up the intensity and anticipation of the already-exciting matchups of late spring. What’s more, the fact that the Cup is up for grabs during the spring season makes it even more exciting because the potential for both schools is there with so many spring sports.

When the idea for the World Company Cup was born, this was exactly the kind of scenario its founders had in mind. Two great schools and dozens of wonderful athletes and coaches vying for an officially recognized city championship.

It might sound crazy to call it a city championship when only two schools are in the competition but some of the best showdowns of all time have come between duos: Magic vs. Bird, Ali vs. Frazier, Tom vs. Jerry.

I’m not naive enough to think that the trophy means enough to the student-athletes of Lawrence to inspire them to dig a little deeper late in the season so that their school has the upper hand in the quest for the Cup. But with a few more years like this one, someday it might.

Here’s a look at the current standings:

Girls tennis 1-0 Lawrence High
Girls Golf, 1-0 Free State
Boys CC, 1-0 Lawrence High
Girls CC, 1-0 Free State
Boys Soccer, Tie (half each)

Volleyball, 3-1 Free State
Gymnastics, 1-0 Free State
Football, 1-0 Free State
Girls Basketball, 2-1 Lawrence High
Boys Basketball, 2-0 Lawrence High
Wrestling, 1-0 Lawrence High
Boys Swimming, 1-0 Free State
Boys Bowling, 1-0 Lawrence High
Girls Bowling, 1-0 Free State
Totals: Free State 10.5, Lawrence High 9.5