2010 Running Programs Among Nation's Best

PROVO -- The BYU men’s and women’s track and field and cross country programs have been recognized as two of the top 20 programs in the NCAA, with the women finishing tenth in the program of the year standings, and the men coming in at 17th.

Program of the Year rankings are compiled by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association and are a compilation of points based on the National finish of each institution’s cross country, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field programs. The women’s institution with the final lowest overall score is awarded with the Terry Crawford Program of the Year Award, while the winning men’s team gets the John McDonnell Program of the Year Award.

On the women’s side, BYU finished tenth with 71 total Program of the Year points. 19 points came from cross country (19th place finish at Nationals) and 38 points came from outdoor track and field (36th place finish at Nationals). The women’s top finish and lowest point total came from indoor track and field, where the team finished 14th and received 14 POY points.

The men’s program finished in 17th place with 125 total POY points. Cross country was the top sport for the men, with a 17th place finish at Nationals, earning 17 POY points. Indoor track and field added 36.5 POY points with a 35th place finish at Nationals and outdoor track and field added 71.5 POY points with a 69th place National finish.

BYU was one of five programs with both the men and women’s teams in the top 17 POY standings. Oregon, Washington, Stanford and Ohio State also had men and women’s teams represented. Oregon finished first on the men’s side with 7.5 POY points and also took home the women’s award with 12 points.