New Orleans – Recognized as one of the nation's top women's track & field and cross country programs, the University of Mary just completed its most successful all-around season and finished fourth in the final 2011-12 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association NCAA Division II Women's Program of the Year standings. The Marauders improved three slots over last year.
 
The USTFCCCA Program of the Year is awarded to the school that has the best combined finish at the NCAA cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field national championships. U-Mary placed 5th in the nation last fall in the cross country championships, 13^th at the indoor and 10^th at the outdoor track and field championships.
 
Only 12 programs in the country placed in all three championships. For the second straight year the top three schools remained the same. Grand Valley State University captured the USTFCCCA Program of the Year honor, followed by Adams State and Western State with U-Mary in fourth. The Marauders are the top rated team in the Northern Sun.
 
USTFCCCA NCAA Women's Division II Program of the Year Award Standings (Top 5 FINAL)
1. Grand Valley State (5 pts)
2. Adams State (9 pts)
3. Western State (16½ pts)
4. U-Mary (28 pts)
5. Ferris State (36 pts)
 
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