WPU Places 57th in Directors’ Cup Standings, Scores Most Points Ever
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–An excellent winter was complemented by a terrific spring as the final Learfield Sports NAIA Directors’ Cup Standings were released recently.
The Statesmen completed the year in 57th place with 272.5 points; nearly 250 institutions are in the NAIA. The 272.5 points are the most ever since moving to the NAIA, while the 57th-place finish is the second-best in school history. It is also the sixth-straight season in which WPU has been in the top 100 and the ninth time in the last nine campaigns.
After scoring 137 points in the winter, WPU added another 135.5 points in the spring. The women’s golf team placed 10th at nationals to garner 60 points, while Derek Robinson (Sr., Jenks, Okla., Communications) single-handedly collected 41.5 points with a pair of men’s track and field All-America laurels (discus and hammer). The men’s golf program earned 34 more points as it finished 20th in its first-ever national tournament appearance.
Oklahoma City defended its Cup title, narrowly slipping past Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) with 1.75 more points at 847.75; Lindsey Wilson was runner-up at 846 points. Wayland Baptist (Texas) was also in the mix with 814 points, while Keiser (Fla.) (779.25) and Indiana Wesleyan (686.75) rounded out the top five.
For the complete standings, go to http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/nacda/sports/directorscup/auto_pdf/2017-18/misc_non_event/June7overallNAIA.pdf
William Penn finished sixth within the Heart of America Athletic Conference, while Grand View led the league in 20th (515 points). The Statesmen were just 27.75 points away from being in the top three in the Heart.
Among Iowa institutions, WPU ranked sixth as well with Northwestern heading the Hawkeye State crew at #7 (662.5 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.
For the complete scoring structure, go to http://www.nacda.com/directorscup/nacda-directorscup-scoring.html
William Penn in Past Directors’ Cups
2017-2018–57th (272.5 points)
2016-2017–69th (256.5 points)
2015-2016–77th (179.5 points)
2014-2015–88th (176.5 points)
2013-2014–62nd (230 points)
2012-2013–61st (245.5 points)
2011-2012–123rd (107 points)
2010-2011–91st (150 points)
2009-2010–63rd (206 points)
2008-2009–91st (128.5 points)
2007-2008–112th (142.5 points)
2006-2007–90th (179 points)
2005-2006–Did not place (0 points)
2004-2005–65th (242.5 points)
2003-2004–54th (261 points)
2002-2003–86th (194.5 points)
2001-2002–87th (152.5 points)
