Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Post Best Director's Cup Finish In 15 Years
6/13/2023 12:33:00 PM | General
Northwestern finishes sixth in the Big Ten and 30th nationally in LEARFIELD annual composite rankings
EVANSTON, Ill. (June 13, 2023) – Northwestern University achieved its highest finish in the LEARFIELD Director's Cup rankings in 15 years, closing the 2022-23 athletic year at No. 30 in the final standings, which were released Tuesday.
The 'Cats amassed 704.50 points across 19 sports, capped this spring by the NCAA Division I NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship. The Wildcats rolled to a clean sweep of the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles before routing Boston College, 18-6, on May 28 to secure the program's eighth national championship.
Northwestern also enjoyed deep NCAA Tournament runs in a trio of sports, highlighted by a national runner-up showing in field hockey. Northwestern's women's soccer team advanced to the Sweet 16, matching its top NCAA Tournament showing in program history, while softball made a second straight appearance in the NCAA Super Regionals.
Men's basketball made the program's second NCAA Tournament appearance, picking up a 75-67 win over Boise State in a First Round matchup. In men's tennis, the Wildcats returned to the NCAA Tournament for a third straight year, rallying past UCLA, 4-2, in the opening round.
The Wildcats' cross country program enjoyed a resurgence this past fall, placing second overall at the NCAA Midwest Regional to punch a ticket to the NCAA Cross Country Championships for the first time in two decades. Northwestern fencing continued its tradition of success, placing seventh amongst women's programs at the NCAA Fencing Championships, with a pair of 'Cats taking home All-America accolades. Six Wildcats secured All-America honors at the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships, while Northwestern was again well-represented at the NCAA Wrestling Championships, sending nine student-athletes to the national meet.
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.
The 'Cats amassed 704.50 points across 19 sports, capped this spring by the NCAA Division I NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship. The Wildcats rolled to a clean sweep of the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles before routing Boston College, 18-6, on May 28 to secure the program's eighth national championship.
Northwestern also enjoyed deep NCAA Tournament runs in a trio of sports, highlighted by a national runner-up showing in field hockey. Northwestern's women's soccer team advanced to the Sweet 16, matching its top NCAA Tournament showing in program history, while softball made a second straight appearance in the NCAA Super Regionals.
Men's basketball made the program's second NCAA Tournament appearance, picking up a 75-67 win over Boise State in a First Round matchup. In men's tennis, the Wildcats returned to the NCAA Tournament for a third straight year, rallying past UCLA, 4-2, in the opening round.
The Wildcats' cross country program enjoyed a resurgence this past fall, placing second overall at the NCAA Midwest Regional to punch a ticket to the NCAA Cross Country Championships for the first time in two decades. Northwestern fencing continued its tradition of success, placing seventh amongst women's programs at the NCAA Fencing Championships, with a pair of 'Cats taking home All-America accolades. Six Wildcats secured All-America honors at the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships, while Northwestern was again well-represented at the NCAA Wrestling Championships, sending nine student-athletes to the national meet.
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.
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