Findlay Seeking Top Ten Finish in Learfield Standings
Findlay, Ohio – With only a few spring sports still competing, the University of Findlay athletic department is currently ranked tenth in the country in the Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings, down three spots from the last ranking which came out on March 29. The Oilers have scored 434.75 points and, despite not having scored any points thus far in the spring season, remain in the hunt for the first top ten finish in the standings in school history. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in up to 14 sports in Division II – seven men's and seven women's. Teams must make NCAA postseason play to be awarded points.
The Oilers are the highest ranked team in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) 44 spots ahead of second place Hillsdale, who ranks 54th with just 220 points scored. Findlay ranks third among schools that often make up the Midwest Region (GLIAC, GLVC, G-MAC, PSAC), trailing only Grand Valley State (1) and Shippensburg (7).
"Being ranked tenth in the country as a small private school exemplifies the incredible work ethic of our student-athletes and coaches", commented Director of Athletics, Brandi Laurita. "With multiple athletes still in NCAA postseason competition, we are excited to see how high we can climb and hope that this is the first of many top ten finishes in the Learfield standings."
To date, 13 out of Findlay's 22 NCAA Division II sponsored teams have been represented in the postseason.
Findlay picked up 103 points in the fall season and picked up the second-most points in the country this winter, 331.75, thanks to all seven competing teams qualifying for postseason competition. Men's and women's track and field combined for 123.25 points and were the two of the top three Oilers' point-earning teams. Men's basketball picked up 64 points while wrestling and men's swimming and diving both earned 45 or more points.
Every year since 1995, the Learfield Sports Directors' Cup has been given awarded to the year's best athletic institution and with 300 schools vying for position, a top finish requires success across all competing teams. Since joining NCAA DII competition in 2000, the highest Findlay has finished was 17th. That ranking came after the 2011-12 season of competition. The only other time the Oilers have been in the top-20 was in 2008-09 when they finished 19th.