Razorback sports’ programs rank 12th in Learfield Sports program

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by The City Wire staff ([email protected]) December 6, 2013 12:53 pm 177 views 

The University of Arkansas is ranked first in the Southeastern Conference and 12th in the nation in the initial 2013-14 Learfield Sports Directors Cup standings released this week by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of America (NACDA).

The Directors’ Cup program has been tracking the success of the nation’s top intercollegiate athletics programs since 1993-94.
 
The Directors Cup is a competition that tracks the nation’s intercollegiate athletic programs for their athletic performances throughout the year. This week’s standings reflect points awarded for men’s cross country, women’s cross country and field hockey, according to a statement from the UA Athletic Department.

The Razorbacks have already posted 124.5 points this year based on the national finishes of the men’s and women’s cross country teams. Coach Chris Bucknam and the men’s cross country team earned 64.5 points after finishing 12th in the nation at the NCAA Cross Country Championships. Coach Lance Harter and the women’s cross country team tallied 60 points after a 15th-place finish at nationals. The men’s and women’s cross country teams won their respective Southeastern Conference championships before going on to earn top-15 national finishes.

Arkansas may post additional points in the fall semester. The Razorback women’s soccer team advanced to the Round of 16 in its first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history. Arkansas’ volleyball team also earned a berth to the NCAA Volleyball Tournament and will play its first round match on Friday afternoon (Dec. 6) against Creighton University on the campus of the University of Kansas.

In 2012-13, the University of Arkansas finished in the top 25 of the Learfield Sports Directors Cup for the third straight year and the fifth time in the past six years. The Razorbacks finished No. 21 and accumulated a school record 830 total points to extend the most successful stretch of Directors Cup success in school history.

In addition to last year’s 21st-place finish, the Razorbacks finished 20th in 2011-12, 24th in 2010-11, 25th in 2008-09 and 24th in 2007-08.