Wingate, Catawba Earn Top-10 Finishes in Final LEARFIELD Directors' Cup Rankings

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The final 2025-26 LEARFIELD Directors' Cup standings were released with 10 South Atlantic Conference institutions earning points in the Division II standings, including four schools finishing among the top 40 nationally and three among the top 25.

Wingate once again led the conference, finishing second nationally with 892.50 points, trailing only Grand Valley State. The Bulldogs earned national points in numerous sports, highlighted by 83 points in men's golf, 90 points in men's golf, 67.5 points in men's track & field, 50 points in men's tennis and 45 points in men's lacrosse. Wingate accumulated 414.5 points during the spring season alone and remained in second place throughout the year.

Catawba finished 10th nationally with 657.50 points, giving the SAC two institutions in the national top 10. The Catawba Indians were fueled by national runner up honors for women's tennis which earned 90 points and deep runs from baseball and men's tennis, earning 83 points in both sports. Catawba also added 49.5 points in men's track & field to secure its highest finish among SAC schools outside of Wingate.

Lenoir-Rhyne placed 22nd nationally with 526.50 points. The Bears were led by strong postseason performances from men's tennis, softball and women's track & field. Lenoir-Rhyne collected 65 points in men's lacrosse, 50 points in softball and 50.5 points in women's track & field while finishing with 190.5 spring points.

Anderson rounded out the SAC schools in the top 40, finishing 36th nationally with 460.50 points. The Trojans earned 90 points in women's golf and 83 points in men's lacrosse, helping them accumulate 237.5 points during the spring season.

Carson-Newman finished 55th nationally with 342.75 points, while Newberry placed 76th with 279.00 points. Lincoln Memorial came in 106th with 207.50 points and Tusculum finished 136th with 153.50 points. Coker placed 201st and Mars Hill was 218th in the final standings.

The LEARFIELD Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in NCAA Championships.

Please note, standings published during the season are unofficial. Official standings are released following the completion of the spring championships. Complete standings and scoring information can be found at directorscup.org.

About LEARFIELD: LEARFIELD is a media, data and technology services leader in intercollegiate athletics. Since 2008, the company has served as title sponsor for NACDA's acclaimed LEARFIELD Directors' Cup, recognizing athletic departments across all divisions.