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Cavalier Men Finish Fifth in USTFCCCA Program of the Year Standings
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June 16, 2015
CHARLOTTESVILLE – The University of Virginia finished 2014-15 ranked fifth in the John McDonnell NCAA Division I Men’s Program of the Year rankings, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced Tuesday. The rankings honor the institutions that achieve the most success each academic year over all three seasons (cross country, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field), based on the school’s finish at the NCAA Championships.
The fifth-place finish is the highest in program history for the Cavaliers. With a 21st-place finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, a 23rd-place finish at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships and a 17th-place finish at last week’s NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Virginia is one of just three schools to finish in the top 25 at all three meets.
“This accolade means a lot to our program,” said director of track and field and cross country Bryan Fetzer. “It truly defines what we are trying to do at Virginia, which is being a compete program that is nationally-ranked across the board. Our sport is unlike any other in collegiate athletics, with the team competing in all three seasons. We are proud that we can be rank among the NCAA’s elite. The John McDonnell Program of the Year Ranking was established to show which university excels in all three facets of the sport. Being listed as one of the top five men’s programs in the NCAA speaks for itself.”
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 NCAA Championship in cross country, indoor track & field, and outdoor track & field (i.e. 1st = 1 point, 2nd = 2 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.
The Cavaliers finished with 63 points to place fifth in the rankings. Oregon, who won the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field titles, was named the men’s program of the year, with eight points.
2014-15 USTFCCCA Men’s Program of the Year Award Standings
1. Oregon (8 points)
2. Arkansas (34)
3. Texas (39)
4. Oklahoma State (45.5)
5. VIRGINIA (63)
6. BYU (71)
7. New Mexico (84)
UTEP (84)
9. Colorado (85)
10. Florida State (95.5)