N E W S R E L E A S E

Contact:  Dennis Collins, Executive Director
Phone:    (216) 871-8100
Fax:      (216) 871-4221
E-mail:   ncacoffice@aol.com

Edited:   May 19, 1997

Wooster claims fifth All-Sports title;
Kenyon, Wittenberg share second place

CLEVELAND -- Wooster posted top-four finishes in 16 of 21 sports on the way to its fifth North Coast Athletic Conference All-Sports championship. The Scots overcame a 3.5-point deficit with a strong spring season and finished with a school-record 138 points. Wooster's previous All-Sports titles came in 1984-85, 1986-87, 1987-88 and 1994-95.

Kenyon and defending champion Wittenberg shared second place with 129.5 points, followed by Ohio Wesleyan (124.0) in fourth, Denison in (118.0) in fifth and Allegheny (116.5) in sixth. Oberlin (68.5), CWRU (66.5) and Earlham(39.5) complete the standings in positions seven through nine.

Wooster's championship campaign featured two NCAC titles (women's cross country and women's soccer) and five second-place finishes. The Scots and Lady Scots improved their standing in 11 sports and added 21 points to their total from a year ago. Wittenberg won or shared six North Coast crowns, while Kenyon claimed four championships and added 19 points to last season's sixth-place point total. Kenyon's best previous finish was a second in 1987-88.

The All-Sports award is given annually to the school that performs the best across the NCAC's 21 sports. Nine points are awarded for a first-place finish, eight for a second, seven for a third, and so on. Men's and women's performances are combined, exemplifying the North Coast's commitment to equity and balance among programs. Wooster won three of the first four All-Sports championships, interrupted only by Denison in year two. Ohio Wesleyan followed with a six-year run halted by Wooster, Wittenberg and Wooster again over the past three seasons.

Ohio Wesleyan leads the way with 60 championships over the NCAC's 13 playing seasons, followed by Allegheny (59), Kenyon (50) and Denison (47).

Final 1996-97 NCAC All-Sports Championship Standings

Place
Institution

1.
The College of Wooster

2.
Kenyon College

Wittenberg University

4.
Ohio Wesleyan University

5.
Denison University

6.
Allegheny College

7.
Oberlin College

8.
Case Western Reserve University

9.
Earlham College

Points

138.0

129.5

129.5

124.0

118.0

116.5

68.5

66.5

39.5