Washington U. Cross Country and Track and Field Finishes Second in USTFCCCA Division III Women’s Program of the Year Standings

2012 DIII WOMEN'S PROGRAM OF THE YEAR STANDINGS

St. Louis, Mo., May 31, 2012 – The Washington University in St. Louis women’s cross country and track & field program finished second in the 2011-12 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division III Women’s Program of the Year standings, as announced by the USTFCCCA on Thursday.

The Washington University women finished with 10.5 points, just 2.5 behind Deb Vercauteren Program of the Year winner Wartburg College. It marked the highest overall finish in Washington U. women’s program history. Washington University’s previous best finish in the Program of the Year standings was ninth in 2010-11.

The Bears won the 2011 NCAA Division III Cross Country National Championship before finishing third at the 2012 Indoor Track & Field Championships and tied for sixth at the 2012 Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Wartburg swept the Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field National Championships, and finished sixth in cross country to win the Program of the Year title.

The Program of the Year Award is given annually to the most outstanding cross country/track & field programs. The award honors the institution that has achieved the most success in each academic year (spanning the cross country, indoor track & field, and outdoor track & field seasons) based on the institution’s finish at the NCAA Championships.

In order to be eligible for the award, teams must qualify for each of the NCAA Championships. Scoring is based on the team’s finish at each championship (i.e. first = one point, second = two points, 31st = 31 points) with the lowest total score for all three championships combined determining the award recipient. Ties among schools split points for positions taken.