BYU Leads 2016-17 Commissioner¹s Cup standings entering final month

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – With just three West Coast Conference Championships up for grabs in the 2016-17 season, defending champion Brigham Young University extended its lead in the race for the West Coast Conference Commissioner's Cup - awarded annually to the WCC institution garnering the most success during Conference play. 

BYU opened the Spring Season in impressive fashion, sweeping the men’s and women’s golf championships. Following the winter campaign, the Cougars built an eight-point lead against second-place Gonzaga University, 55.0 – 47.0. Now, with women’s rowing, softball and baseball remaining, BYU owns a commanding 17-point lead on surging Pepperdine University, 86.5-69.5.

So far in 2016-17, BYU owns titles in men’s cross country, women’s soccer, women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s golf. Pepperdine’s surge has been fueled by titles in women’s soccer, women’s tennis and beach volleyball to go along with runner-up showings in men’s and women’s golf and men’s tennis.

Just 5.5 points separate the top-four programs in the men’s all-sport trophy race. BYU owns a 3-point lead on Saint Mary’s College 35.5-32.5, boosted by a men’s golf championship and a top-four finish in men’s tennis. The University of San Francisco is third with 30.5 points, just in front of the University of Portland at 30.0 points.

BYU owns a sizeable lead in the women's all-sports trophy race with 51.0 points, after seizing three championships and two runner-up showings. Pepperdine is a distant second with 45.5 points after capturing two spring titles. 

Overall, the Cougars compiled 86.5 Commissioner's Cup points after the conclusion of the men’s and women’s tennis championships. Pepperdine (69.5) is second, Saint Mary’s (67.0) is third while Loyola Marymount University (65.5) and Gonzaga (64.5) round out the top-five. San Francisco (64.0) is sixth and 1.5 points in front of Bay Area rival Santa Clara (62.5). Portland (62.0), University of San Diego (53.0) and Pacific (39.5) round out the standings. 

The Commissioner's Cup announcement will be released following the WCC Executive Council and Presidents’ Council Meetings June 4-8. The final tally will include softball (May 13), women’s rowing (May 13) and baseball (May 25-27). Following the conclusion of the 2016-17 season, all point values will be recalculated to reflect the top-12 program finishes for each West Coast Conference institution.

BYU captured its fourth Commissioner’s Cup victory last season and swept both the men’s and women’s all-sport trophies. The Cougars ranked No. 33 in the 2016-17 Learfield Sports Director’s Cup Division I Final Winter Standings, updated April 28, 2017. Portland checked in at No. 92.