July 8, 2009
BERKELEY -
Cal's men's track & field and cross country program has been ranked as the seventh-best program in the country in the inaugural John McDonnell Program of the Year standings.
The ratings honor institutions that have achieved the most success in each academic year (spanning the cross country, indoor track & field, and outdoor track & field seasons) based on the school's finish at the NCAA championships.
In order to be eligible, teams must qualify for all three championships. Scoring is based on a team's finish in each NCAA event (1 point for first place, 2 points for second place, etc.), and the lowest combined score for all three championships determines the award recipient.
Cal totaled 61 points after taking 22nd in cross country, 12th at NCAA indoors and 25th at NCAA outdoors. The indoor finish was the team's highest ever, and the Bears capped the season with Martin Maric's national title in the discus at the outdoor meet.
Oregon was rated No. 1 in the team standings, followed by Stanford, Florida State, Texas A&M and Arkansas to round out the top five.
The award is named after former Arkansas head coach John McDonnell, who guided the Razorbacks to 40 national titles in cross country and track & field during his hall of fame career.
2009 John McDonnell Program of the Year Standings
Team Points
1. Oregon 5
2. Stanford 21
3. Florida State 32.5
4. Texas A&M 40
5. Arkansas 45
6. Auburn 60.5
7. California 61
8. BYU 66
9. Minnesota 67.5
10. Washington 74
11. Virginia 113
12. Alabama 118
13. Michigan 120
14. Penn State 128.5
15. Notre Dame 131
