Statesmen Make Huge Jump in Heart Commissioner’s Cup Standings
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–Big points from the women’s basketball team as well as the bowling squads have allowed the William Penn Athletics Department to make a significant move after the winter sports season as the Heart of America Athletic Conference updated the Commissioner’s Cup standings.
William Penn improves six positions from the fall and now sits in fourth place out of the 13 teams with 36 points. The Statesmen entered the winter with just eight points, but had an impressive winter, headlined by 11 points from league regular-season and tournament champion women’s basketball as well as eight points from conference champion women’s bowling.
WPU gained another seven from men’s bowling, six from men’s basketball, and wrapped up their countable points with four for their finish in football/men’s soccer.
Benedictine continues to lead the way, now owning 43 points, while Grand View is second with 39 points. Central Methodist is also ahead of William Penn with 37 points, while MidAmerica Nazarene rounds out the top five with 31 points. Clarke (29), Baker (26), Missouri Valley (25), Mount Mercy (23), and Evangel (19) conclude the rest of the top 10, while Culver-Stockton (15), Graceland (12), and Peru State (12) finish off the standings.
This is the inaugural year for the Commissioner’s Cup, which is an all-sports award that further recognizes the achievements of its student-athletes and member institutions.
Schools are required to count point totals for the five sports that all members sponsor (women’s volleyball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball, and softball), along with their next three highest point totals from the remaining sports, regardless of gender.
Points are assigned based on conference standing at the conclusion of the regular season, while points for league sports without regular season standings will be determined by the conference championship meet.
Eight points are given to the conference champion, seven to second place, six to third, etc., while three bonus points are awarded to the conference tournament champion. Also, when two or more teams have the same placing, conference postseason seeding will determine the tiebreaker.
The 2018-2019 inaugural Commissioner’s Cup champion will be crowned at the conclusion of spring sports season.
2018-2019 Heart Commissioner’s Cup Standings (WINTER)
1. Benedictine–43
2. Grand View–39
3. Central Methodist–37
4. William Penn–36
5. MidAmerica Nazarene–31
6. Clarke–29
7. Baker–26
8. Missouri Valley–25
9. Mount Mercy–23
10. Evangel–19
11. Culver-Stockton–15
12. Graceland–12
12. Peru State–12
