March 14, 2011

Patriot League Presidents' Cup Release

Center Valley, Pa. - Winners of five consecutive and 16 of the 20 all-time Patriot League Presidents' Cup races, Bucknell took a huge step towards continuing its success in 2010-11 by opening up a nearly double-digit lead in the standings through the winter season.

The Bison moved up from third place to first during the winter on the strength of a regular-season and Patriot League Tournament title in men's basketball and finishes in the top half of the standings in the remaining sports: women's basketball, men and women's swimming and diving and men and women's indoor track and field.

Bucknell leads the overall standings with 71.75 points, giving the Bison a solid lead over second-place Navy with 62.25 points. The Mids charged up the standings by winning four of the six Patriot League titles in the winter. Navy took both the regular-season and Tournament Championship in women's basketball after sweeping the men and women's indoor track and field titles and also winning the men's swimming and diving crown in February.

The standings are tight following the Mids, with Colgate and Lehigh tied for third place with 61.25 points and American right behind with 60.5 points. The Raiders fell from the top spot after the fall despite joining Bucknell and Navy as a Patriot League champion in the winter by winning the women's swimming and diving title. Army (54.75), Lafayette (33.75) and Holy Cross (29.5) round out the overall standings.

The race for the men's trophy remains extremely tight, with the Bison (31.25) holding a very slim lead over Lehigh (31) and Navy (30.25). American (26.5), Colgate (24.5), Army (22.75), Lafayette (17) and Holy Cross (14.75) complete the men's standings.

Bucknell has more breathing room in its quest for a 14th-consecutive title on the women's side. The Bison lead the way with 40.5 points, coming in ahead of Colgate (36.75) and American (34). Army and Navy are tied for fourth with 32 points, with Lehigh (30.25), Lafayette (16.75) and Holy Cross (14.75) completing the standings.

Patriot League Presidents' Cup points are awarded based on a team's performance in the regular season and postseason Patriot League standings. In cross country, golf, rowing, swimming and diving and track and field, the points are awarded based on the final team standing at the Patriot League Championship. Points for football are awarded based on regular-season standings.

Bucknell took home its 16th Patriot League Presidents' Cup at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season. Army is the only other team in League history to win the cup, taking home four trophies (1994, 1995, 1997, 2005). Bucknell also claimed its 16th women's title last season, while taking its seventh crown on the men's side.

2010-11 Patriot League Presidents' Cup Standings (Through Winter 2011)

Overall
1. Bucknell, 71.75
2. Navy, 62.25
3. Colgate, 61.25
Lehigh, 61.25
5. American, 60.5
6. Army, 54.75
7. Lafayette, 33.75
8. Holy Cross, 29.5

Men
1. Bucknell, 31.25
2. Lehigh, 31
3. Navy, 30.25
4. American, 26.5
5. Colgate, 24.5
6. Army, 22.75
7. Lafayette, 17
8. Holy Cross, 14.75

Women
1. Bucknell, 40.5
2. Colgate, 36.75
3. American, 34
4. Army, 32
Navy, 32
6. Lehigh, 30.25
7. Lafayette, 16.75
8. Holy Cross, 14.75