Thursday, April 3, 2014

PORTLAND, Ore. – Alaska Anchorage is in fifth place in the NCAA Division II Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup at the end of the winter season.

The Cup measures the overall success of a school’s athletic program, awarding points in up to 14 sports – seven men’s and seven women’s – based on their finish in regional and national competition.

The Seawolves earned 220 ¾ points in the winter season to increase their total to 397 ¾.  That included 25 points in women’s basketball for qualifying for the West Regional tournament, 66 in skiing for an eight-place finish, 62 ¼ for placing 13th in women’s indoor track & field meet and 67 ½ for finishing ninth in men’s indoor track & field.

Grand Valley State (Mich.) is the leader with 718 points followed by West Texas A&M (451 ½), Central Missouri (448), Adams State, Colo. (425) and Alaska Anchorage.

Four other GNAC teams – Simon Fraser (32nd), Western Washington (35th), Alaska Fairbanks (44th) and Seattle Pacific (49th) – rank in the Top 50.  A total of 216 Division II institutions have earned points.

Simon Fraser earned winter points in women’s basketball (17th, 50 points), women’s swimming (18th, 55 ½ points) and wrestling (36th, 5 points).

Western Washington picked up points in women’s basketball (33rd, 25 points).  Alaska Fairbanks  scored points in rifle (2nd,  90 points), skiing (10th, 60 points) and women’s swimming (14th, 61 ½).  Seattle Pacific scored points in men’s basketball (33rd, 25 points) and women’s indoor track & field (26th, 47 points).

The 220 ¾ and 211 ½ points scored by UAA and UAF in the winter season was the 11th and 12th most of any Division II institution.

The competition continues through the spring.  The final standings will be announced in June.

Directors Cup (Through April 1) –   5. Alaska Anchorage 397 ¾, 32. Simon Fraser 265 ½, 35. Western Washington 243, 44. Alaska Fairbanks 211 ½, 49. Seattle Pacific 200, 151. Montana State Billings 64, 162. Central Washington 51 ½.