WPU Gains Over 100 Points, Jumps into Top 100 in NAIA Directors’ Cup
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–The William Penn Athletics Department excelled during the winter and is now in the top 100 as the updated Learfield Sports NAIA Directors’ Cup Standings were released recently.
The Statesmen go from unranked to 89th place with 103.5 points; nearly 250 institutions are in the NAIA. WPU gained 53 points from men’s basketball advancing to the second round of the national tournament, 25.5 points from All-American high jumper Mofiyinfoluwa Alade (So., Hoffman Estates, Ill.) who placed fourth, and 25 points from a national-tourney appearance by women’s basketball.
Oklahoma City is in a commanding position with 717.25 points, while Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) is a distant second with 566 points. Morningside (511), College of Idaho (484), and Indiana Wesleyan (477) round out the top five.
For the complete standings, go to https://s3.amazonaws.com/nacda.com/documents/2019/3/27/NAIAMar28Overall.pdf
William Penn is 10th within the Heart of America Athletic Conference, while Grand View led the league in 21st (343 points).
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 13 sports, four of which must be men’s basketball, men’s soccer, women’s basketball, and women’s volleyball. The next nine sports for each institution, regardless of gender, will be used in the standings.
