June 19, 2007

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University placed 32nd in the final 2006-07 U.S. Sports Academy Directors' Cup Division II All-Sports standings.

It is the second-highest finish in for the Vikings since becoming a full NCAA member eight years ago. They finished with 392.50 points, which are awarded based on a school's finish in regional and national competition.

Grand Valley State MI took top honors among the 224 Division II schools for the fourth consecutive year with 995.75 points. The prestigious award is presented annually by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), United States Sports Academy and USA Today to the best overall collegiate athletics program in the country. The Lakers had 10 top 10 finishes, winning the national title in football and being the national runner-up in women's soccer.

Western won the national championship in women's rowing for the third straight time. The Vikings were ranked 13th in women's golf, 17th in women's soccer and men's indoor track, 24th in women's track, 33rd in volleyball and women's basketball, 37th in men's track, 49th in softball and 61st in men's golf.

Western trailed just four other West Region schools - UC San Diego finishing second (802), Chico State 17th (470), Cal State L.A. 21st (453) and Seattle Pacific 26th (416).

Seattle Pacific was the top-rated Great Northwest Athletic Conference school in the standings. Two other GNAC teams were ranked in the Top 100. Seattle U. was 66th with 272 points and Alaska Anchorage was 92nd with 205 1/2 points.

The Vikings placed 31st in 2003-04 and were 34th last year. They were 37th in 1999-2000, 42nd in 2004-05 and 44th in 2001-02.

WWU finishes in DII all-sports standings

1999-2000, 37th
2000-01, 71st
2001-02, 44th
2002-03, 63rd
2003-04, 31st
2004-05, 42nd
2005-06, 34th
2006-07, 32nd