The combined programs of West Virginia University track and field along with cross country have been nationally ranked #9. This ranking was announced by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association and falls under the Terry Crawford Program of the Year Award rankings. Read more WVU Cross Country and Track & Field Nationally Ranks #9.
Terry Crawford Women’s Program of the Year Award
The Terry Crawford Women’s Program of the Year Award is named after USTFCCCA Hall of Famer, Terry Crawford. Crawford was also the former head coach of Cal Poly, and during her career has won five NCAA National Championships and over 20 Conference Championships. In 1986, her Texas squad won the Triple Crown, which contains cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field titles. This team is only one of two NCAA women’s programs to make this achievement.
As for past winners of this award, Oregon has been a household name. From 2008-2017, Oregon consistently placed first. In the 2017-2018 season, Stanford stepped up to take the title. It was short lived, as Oregon came back on top in the 2018-2019 season. Since then, no award has been given for first place until this season – which Oregon once again took home for the 11th time in program history.
WVU’s 9th Place Finish
As for WVU, the women’s teams from cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field totaled 51 points to place 9th. They fell just shortly behind New Mexico and NC State, who finished with 48.5 and 48 points, respectively. The Mountaineers had quite an impressive gap between themselves and the team in 10th place, which was Florida, who came in with 58 points.
In cross country, West Virginia finished No. 2, with two program of the year points. In indoor track and field, the Mountaineers placed No. 23 with 24.5 program of the year points. Lastly in outdoor track and field, the Mountaineers finished No. 24 with 24.5 program of the year points. These are the points that added up to our total of 51 program points.
READ MORE: Rodriguez’s Return to WVU: What History Tells Us About Second Chances
To be eligible for the award, WVU had to qualify for each of the championships. The scoring and points are awarded based on performance and placement at each championship in cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field. The lowest score total for all three championships would determine the award winner.
In response to the #9 ranking, Coach Sean Cleary praised the Mountaineers consistency and performance throughout the season.
“For our group to have received this ninth-place ranking shows how incredibly consistent that we have been all year. I am very proud of this team and in awe of the level of performance that they have delivered throughout the past 10 months.”
It’s a huge accomplishment and a testament to the hard work these women have put in all year long. WVU continues to prove it’s a force to be reckoned with. Let’s go Mountaineers!
