Vanguard among NAIA elite

Vanguard University finished 21st among NAIA schools in the running for the U.S. Sports Academy Directors’ Cup.

The award, presented annually by the National Assn. Of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, the United States Sports Academy and USA Today, rewards collegiate athletic programs in NCAA Divisions I, II and III, as well as the NAIA.

The Lions were 21st among nearly 300 NAIA schools in the United States and Canada. Points are awarded based on national placement in each sport. The top six scoring sports for each gender are used to produce a school’s total. Some sports are scored on the basis of team placement while others are given points based on individual performances.

Seven of Vanguard’s 13 sports advanced to postseason competition and 13 individuals competed nationally.

Five Vanguard programs ? men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis and women’s cross country ? competed in their respective NAIA tournaments.

Women’s basketball, as well as men’s and women’s tennis each earned top-five finishes.

Vanguard, with 424 points, was just shy of last year’s 19th-place finish, which remains the school’s best showing. The Lions ranked 40th in 2003-04.

Vanguard’s No. 21 ranking was fourth-best among Golden State Athletic Conference institutions.

Vanguard had eight teams appear in their respective NAIA top-25 polls in 2005-06. The women’s basketball team was ranked No. 1 in the nation all season.dpt-vuaward26.IMGGraphicInfoSR1TA7OQ20060726SR1TA7OQCaption: No Caption