William Penn Finishes #123 in Directors’ Cup
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–National tournament appearances by the kings of the hardwood and the queens of the diamond as well as the school’s first national champion in nearly a decade assisted the William Penn athletics department as the final 2011-2012 NAIA Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup Standings were released yesterday.
William Penn earned 107 points to placed 123rd in the NAIA. A total of 195 NAIA institutions scored points in the standings, while nearly 300 schools comprise the division.
The Statesmen wrestling team put up a department-high 57 points with a 17th-place finish at nationals, highlighted by a national title by 149-pounder Eric Burgey, the first crown in any sport since the 2002-2003 school year.
The men’s basketball program added another 25 points by reaching nationals and softball concluded the scoring with another 25 points. Both teams made their third trip to the NAIA’s final site this year.
Azusa Pacific (Calif.) continued its dominance by tallying 918 points for its record eighth title in a row. The Cougars won a national title in women’s indoor track and field, had silvers in women’s cross country and men’s outdoor track and field, and recorded bronzes in women’s soccer, men’s tennis, and women’s outdoor track and field.
Shorter (Ga.) gave APU a scare with 856 points, while Embry-Riddle (Fla.) was third at 771.5 points. Oklahoma Baptist was fourth with 765.25 points and Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) rounded out the top five with 700 points.
The Golden Sun Athletic Conference and the Sooner Conference each managed three schools in the top ten.
Nine of the ten schools from the Midwest Collegiate Conference scored points in the Cup, with William Penn ranking fourth. Grand View led the group in 11th place with 583.5 points. Fellow MCC programs Mount Mercy (54th, 227 points) and St. Ambrose (T-105th, 129.5 points) were also ahead of the navy and gold.
Ashford (T-131st, 91 points), Waldorf (156th, 52 points), Iowa Wesleyan (166th, 34.5 points), Viterbo (167th, 33 points), and Clarke (194th, 22.5 points) scored points as well.
The Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in up to 12 sports-six men’s and women’s.
For complete standings and the scoring structure, visit the NACDA website at www.nacda.com
