ITHACA, N.Y. – The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics released the finalized winter standings for the Learfield Directors' Cup on March 31 and Ithaca College jumped all the way up to 14th out of 270 ranked schools. Through two seasons of competition, Ithaca now has 478.75 points.
Directors' Cup points are awarded based on each institution's finish in up to 18 sports in NCAA postseason competition, measured by nine women's sports and nine men's sports. Through the fall and winter seasons, Ithaca has qualified for points in 10 sports – six women's sports and four men's sports.
Ithaca ranked 44th after the fall as women's soccer and women's volleyball each earned 25 points, while women's cross country earned 32 points and men's cross country had 32.5 points to total 114.5.
The winter sports performed exceptionally well as six of IC's seven qualifying sports competed in NCAA postseason competitions, which resulted in 364.25 points. Women's track & field led the way with 85 points after a third place finish, while men's track & field contributed 71.25 points with a sixth place showing. Men's and women's swimming & diving each earned 56 points with 18th place finishes at the NCAA Championships. Women's basketball picked up 50 points and wrestling earned 46 points.
During the winter season, four Ithaca student-athletes claimed individual national championships –
Jalen Leonard-Osbourne,
Ava Lowell,
Meghan Matheny and
Jack Wadsworth. The Bombers also racked up a total of 16 All-American performances.
The 364.25 points earned for the college during the winter season were the second-most among Division III schools, as Ithaca only trailed Johns Hopkins University, which accumulated 384.5 points and ranks first overall with 855.5.
Ithaca ranks second among New York schools, trailing only SUNY Geneseo in 11th overall. The Bombers are well ahead of the next Liberty League affiliate, which is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 43rd.
Since the creation of the Learfield Directors' Cup in 1995-96, Ithaca College is just one of six institutions to finish within the top 30 each year. Amherst College, Calvin University, Emory University, Middlebury College and Williams College.
