“`html
Connecticut college Achieves Record-Breaking Ranking in 2025 Learfield Directors’ cup
Table of Contents
Connecticut College‘s athletic program reached new heights in the 2024-2025 season,securing 63rd place out of 327 eligible institutions in the Learfield Directors’ Cup Division III standings. This achievement marks the highest point total (318.75) in school history, positioning the Camels among the top 20% of NCAA Division III programs.
Key Achievements Fueling the Camels’ Success
The Directors’ Cup,awarded annually by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA),recognizes institutions with broad-based success in NCAA Championships. Six teams from Connecticut College contributed to the final score.
Men’s Soccer’s Impressive Post-Season Run
The Men’s Soccer team, previously crowned NCAA champions in 2021, once again demonstrated their prowess with a remarkable post-season performance. the Camels advanced to the Final Four for the second time in three years, defeating washington and Lee 1-0 in the semifinals. The final match against Amherst ended in a 1-1 draw, with the Camels ultimately conceding the title after a 4-3 penalty shootout.
Track and Field Programs Contribute Considerably
The Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field programs played a crucial role in Conn College’s success. The women’s team secured a 17th-place finish, highlighted by Grace McDonough’s ’26 second-place finish in the 5000m and third-place finish in the 1500m, along with Blessing Kieh’s ’28 ninth-place finish in the 100m. The men’s team finished 67th, with Matt Scardigno ’25 earning a seventh-place finish in the 5000m. The United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association ranked the women’s team eighth among Division III institutions in their Program of the Year final standings.
Did You Know? The NESCAC (New England Small College Athletic Conference) includes ten Division III schools located throughout New England [[2]].
Additional Top performances
Other notable performances included a 15th-place finish in Women’s Indoor Track and Field, fueled by McDonough’s third-place finish in the mile and the distance medley relay team’s third-place finish. The Men’s Swimming and Diving team secured 16th place, propelled by Justin Finkel‘s ’25 two NCAA victories, defending his 2024 titles in both the 500 free and the 200 fly. Finkel was also honored as Swimmer of the Year for the second consecutive year. In the fall, the Women’s Cross Country team placed 23rd, with McDonough finishing 53rd individually.
Pro Tip: Consistent performance across multiple sports is key to a high ranking in the Learfield Directors’ Cup.
Connecticut College’s Historical Performance
The Camels’ previous highest point total was 279.5 (65th place) achieved in the 2021-2022 season, demonstrating significant betterment in the 2024-2025 campaign.
| Year | Ranking | Points |
|---|
