(As of May 2, 1996)

North Dakota Maintains Large Lead in the Final Winter Division II
Sears Directors' Cup Standings

At the conclusion of the winter sports championships, North Dakota State has maintained a 100-plus point lead in the race for the Division II Sears Directors' Cup.

North Dakota State won the women's basketball title and added a fourth place finish in women's track and field, a seventh in men's track and field; a 13th in men's wrestling; and a 17th in men's basketball to complete the season with 470.5 points, 109 points in front the the second place team, North Dakota State which as 361.5 points. Close behind, in third, is Western State (Col.), with 359.5 points; California-Davis in fourth with 359.0 points; and California State-Bakersfield in fifth with 350.5 points.

These are the final winter standings and include the sports of men's and women's basketball, fencing, women's gymnastics, men's ice hockey, rifle, skiing, men's and women's swimming, men's and women's track and field and men's wrestling. Taking home championships in the Division II sports are North Dakota State in women's basketball; Fort Hays State (Ks.) in men's basketball; Alabama-Huntsville in hockey; U.S. Air Force Academy (Div. I) in women's swimming; Oakland (Mich.) in men's swimming; Abilene Christian (Tex.) in men's and women's track and field; and Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.) in men's wrestling. Division II's top finishers in fencing was Wayne State (Mich.), 11th; in women's gymnastics was Denver, 31st; in rifle was Alaska-Fairbanks, fifth; and in skiing, Denver, second.

There are four Sears Directors' Cup Awards, one to honor the institution with the best all-around athletics program in each of the NCAA's Divisions I, II and III and the NAIA. It is the first-ever cross-sectional all-sports national recognition award for both men and women.

To determine the champion, points are awarded based on each institution's finish in 16 sports--six core sports for men, six core sports for women and two wild card sports each for men and women. The core sports include, for men--baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf and tennis; and for women--basketball, cross country, softball, tennis, outdoor track and field and volleyball.

The winner of the award will receive a trophy designed by Waterford Crystal, which will tour the country, appearing at major men's and women's events throughout the year.

A complete listing of the final winter sports follows. These are official standings and have been verified by the independent accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche, LLP. The sports codes are as follows: W. BB - women's basketball; M. BB - men's basketball; W. Gym - women's gymnastics; M. Hoc - men's ice hockey; W. SW - women's swimming, M. SW - men's swimming, W. T&F - women's track and field; M. T&F - men's track and field; M. WR - men's wrestling.

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