Thursday, June 9, 2016
PORTLAND, Ore. – A banner year on the national stage for the athletic programs at the University of Alaska Anchorage provided for a top-10 finish in the final standings for the 2015-16 Learfield Division II Directors’ Cup.
The Seawolves, ranked second at the conclusion of the winter season, finish the year in eighth place in the standings. Alaska Anchorage, which only fields spring teams in men’s and women’s outdoor track and field, finish with a grand total of 570.5 points. The Seawolves earned 60.75 points with their 14th place nationals finish in men’s outdoor track and 21.5 points with their 51st place nationals finish in women’s outdoor track.
The eighth place finish is the best in Alaska Anchorage history and the third best finish ever by a GNAC athletic program, bolstered by national championship appearances in nine of the school’s 13 sports. Western Washington placed sixth in 2009-10 and seventh in 2010-11.
"Finishing in the top-10 in the Learfield Directors’ Cup standings is a fitting final accomplishment for this most outstanding year that our student-athletes, teams and coaches have produced – the best finish in the history of Seawolf Athletics,” said Alaska Anchorage Athletic Director Keith Hackett. “As we close the books on the 2015-16 school year, we can take an incredible amount of pride in knowing we are among the best athletic programs in America.”
Alaska Anchorage led four GNAC teams that finished in the top-100 of the Directors’ Cup standings, which is calculated based on a program’s national championship finishes in 14 sports – seven men’s and seven women’s.
Western Washington placed 26th in the standings with 441.5 points, improving 10 spots over its finish in 2014-15. The Vikings picked up points from five spring teams, led by 85 points for a third place nationals finish in women’s rowing. The women’s outdoor track team yielded an additional 53.5 points for its 20th place nationals finish. Western Washington also received points for nationals finishes in men’s outdoor track, men’s golf and women’s golf.
Simon Fraser finished in 55th place after placing 26th last year, compiling 306.5 points. The Clan received 14.5 points for its 57th place finish in men’s track and field and five points for its 65th place finish in men’s golf.
Seattle Pacific placed 67th with 286 points, its best finish in the Directors’ Cup standings since 2013. All of the Falcons’ spring points came in women’s track and field where a 37th place nationals finish yielded 36.5 points.
Grand Valley State easily won their third straight Directors’ Cup and their 11th overall with a total of 1,070 points.
The Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup is a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletices (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution’s NCAA finish in up to 14 sports, seven women’s and seven men’s. The ranking quantify the national success of all 317 NCAA Division II programs.