ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon athletic department arguably produced its best year in school history during the 2009-10 academic campaign. Gannon finished 79th out of 293 NCAA Division II schools in the final Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings recently released by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).

The 79th-place finish was Gannon's best in school history, surpassing the previous high of 82nd place set during the 2008-09 campaign. The Golden Knights ranked eighth among Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) schools and first among the local institutions.

Grand Valley State claimed its seventh consecutive Learfield Sports Directors' Cup, accumulating 1,021.50 points. The Lakers finished 318.5 points ahead of second-place California (Pa.) (703). Central Missouri (672.50), Minnesota State Mankato (660.50) and St. Cloud State (Minn.) (643.50) completed the top five.

PSAC schools included in the standings were California (Pa.) (2nd, 703), Indiana (Pa.) (13th, 574), Kutztown (16th, 492.75), Shippensburg (18th, 470.75), West Chester (42nd, 362), Bloomsburg (51st, 323), East Stroudsburg (58th, 294.50), Gannon (79th, 247.75), Clarion (80th, 245.50), Slippery Rock (84th, 220), Mercyhurst (87th, 216.50), Lock Haven (99th, 202.25), Edinboro (116th, 177), Millersville (149th, 119) and Mansfield (163rd, 92).

Gannon's winter sports led the charge, securing 80 percent (197.75) of the points. It represented the 17th-highest winter total among NCAA Division II schools. The women's basketball team received 83 points after advancing to the NCAA Division II Final Four. The wrestling team earned 69.75 points with an eighth-place finish at the NCAA Division II National Championship. The women's swimming team added 45 points by placing 29th at its respective national championship.

Gannon kick started the year with 50 points during the fall season. The women's volleyball and women's soccer teams both received 25 points for participating in the NCAA Division II Tournament.

For the complete 2009-10 Learfield Sports Directors' Cup NCAA Division II final standings, please click here.