Titans Finish Third In Program Of The Year Standings

UW-Oshkosh relied on a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Division III Men's Indoor Track and Field Championship to rank third in the 2011 Al Carius Program of the Year standings. The award, sponsored by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), is presented annually to the institution that has the highest combined team finishes in each of the NCAA's cross country, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field championships.

UW-Oshkosh, which won the Al Carius Program of the Year Award in 2009, took third in this year's competition with 25.5 points. The Titans' overall ranking also included a 10th-place finish at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championship and an 11th-place finish at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship. 

North Central College (Ill.) was the winner of its second straight Al Carius Program of the Year Award. The Cardinals compiled four points after winning indoor and outdoor track and field crowns and finishing second in cross country.

Washington University (Mo.) placed second in the standings with 21 points, UW-Stevens Point fourth with 32.5 and Calvin College (Mich.) fifth with 36.5. A total of 16 teams scored points in each of the three national meets.

The Al Carius Program of the Year Award is named after USTFCCCA Hall of Famer and long-time North Central College head coach Al Carius. In his 46th year at the college, Carius owns 21 NCAA Division III championships and is still the school’s cross country coach.

In order to be eligible for the award, teams must qualify for each of the NCAA Championships. Scoring is based on the school’s finish at each national meet (i.e. 1st = 1 point, 2nd = 2 points, 31st = 31 points), with the lowest combined total determining the winner.