April 2, 2009

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - With all the winter sports now accounted for, Western Washington University is 18th in the latest NCAA Division II Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings released today.

Reaching the first round of the NCAA II National Tournament in both men's and women's basketball, the Vikings raised their point total to 303, less than 50 out of the top 10.

Only two West Region schools are ahead of Western, Seattle Pacific sixth (367.50) and UC San Diego 14th (319).

The Vikings could climb even higher when the final standings come out in June. They have won the last four national titles in women's rowing and are expected do well nationally in outdoor men's and women's track and men's and women's golf.

In 2007-08, Western placed 20th in the Sports Director's Cup standings, the highest finish in school history.