Thursday, April 11, 2013

PORTLAND, Ore. - Western Washington is ranked 11th in the Learfield Sports Directors' Cup NCAA Division II national all-sports standings at the conclusion of the winter sports season.

The Vikings are one of three GNAC teams ranked in the Top 20.

Western Washington has earned 359 points in the competition which awards points based on a team's finish in NCAA Division II regional and national competition.

The Vikings are four points ahead of Alaska Anchorage which ranks 12th with 355 points.  Simin Fraser ranks 15th with 329 points.   Ashland, Ohio, which won the women's Division II national title in basketball, is the overall leader with 589 points.

During the winter sports season, Western Washington earned 83 points in both men's and women's basketball for their third place finishes and 26 points for a 47th place finish in women's indoor track and field.

Alaska Anchorage scored points in skiing (7th, 69) women's indoor track and field (11th, 66) and men's indoor track and field (14th, 61 1/2). Simon Fraser picked up points in women's basketball (9th, 64); women's swimming (9th, 69) women's indoor track and field (12th, 64 1/2) and wrestling (25th, 48 1/2).  

The Cup competiiton was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Director of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today.

Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in up to 14 sports -- seven women's and seven men's.

Learfield Sports Directors' Cup (End of Winter) - 1. Ashland, Ohio, 589; 11. Western Washington 359; 12. Alaska Anchorage 355; 15. Simon Fraser 329; 33. Seattle Pacific 247; 61. Alaska Fairbanks 183; 185. Western Oregon 42; 193. Central Washington and Northwest Nazarene 25.