VALERIE H. QUINTERO | sports editor
The final winter standings for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup standings were posted on Thursday, March 26.
Currently, Azusa Pacific is in the lead with 661 total points.
Azusa holds an 82.5 point lead over second place Lindenwood University (Mo.) before entering into spring sports.
Athletic teams not currently included in the point total are baseball, softball, tennis and outdoor track and field.
Cougar baseball has made postseason appearances in the past two seasons and is currently ranked sixth in the NAIA.
Both men’s and women’s tennis are also ranked in the NAIA top 10, with rankings of sixth and fifth, respectively.
Outdoor track and field teams had successful seasons last year. Women finished fourth and men finished first in their outdoor seasons.
If the Cougars are able to maintain their lead, Azusa Pacific will become the second NAIA college to earn a Director’s Cup for five consecutive years.
The only school that has been able to accomplish this is Simon Fraser (B.C.).
According to Associate Director of Athletics and Sports Information Director Gary Pine, if Azusa Pacific is able to win the Director’s Cup this year, it will bring prominence to the university.
“It will solidify us as a premiere institution in the NAIA and enhance the GSAC reputation in the NAIA as well,” Pine said.
Last year, the Cougars won the Director’s Cup with a total score of 949 points, making them the sixth school to ever win four straight Director’s Cups.
Out of the top ten schools currently ranked in the NAIA Director’s Cup standings, five of those schools, including Azusa Pacific are Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) schools.
Concordia is currently ranked third and finished seventh overall last year. Fresno Pacific finished fourth last year and currently maintains that same ranking.
Biola University currently has 404.75 points, giving them a seventh place ranking. Last year, the Eagles finished with an overall score of 439.50 points and a 35th place ranking.
Another GSAC college, California Baptist currently holds a tenth place ranking and finished sixth overall last year.
However, at the end of last year, Point Loma Nazarene was ranked tenth and is not currently listed among the 40 schools in the standings through winter sports.
Azusa Pacific’s current lead can be attributed in part to a recent national championship win from men’s indoor track and field and a second place finish from women’s indoor track and field.
Another sport that contributed to the Cougar lead is swimming and diving, a new edition to the Cougar sports line-up, which added 69 points.
In swimming and diving, the Cougars placed seventh at the NAIA championship meet.
“We are grateful to [women’s] swimming and diving because they have given us a cushion that we would not have had this time last year,” Pine said.
With postseason appearances, the Cougars will have an opportunity to earn their fifth straight Director’s Cup.
Azusa will have to compete for this honor as fellow GSAC schools are just as competitive.
California Baptist has a no. 1 ranked softball team and Fresno Pacific has a competitive baseball team.
Also, three of the five GSAC teams in the top 10, Concordia, Biola and California Baptist all have golf teams that can be added to their totals.
Final rankings, which will determine the Director's Cup winner for the 2008-2009 school year, will be announced on Thursday, May 28.
