4 PacWest titles gives California Baptist early lead in chase for 2011-12 Commissioner’s Cup

PHOENIX, AZ – California Baptist used championships in men’s and women’s soccer and men’s and women’s cross country to jump out to a huge lead in the chase for the 2011-12 PacWest Commissioner’s Cup.

The Lancers lead runner-up Grand Canyon by six total points and a 1.2 average thanks to a tremendous debut in the Pacific West Conference that yielded 47 points and 9.4 average finish.

The Antelopes are currently seeded second with 41 points and an 8.2 average finish, while BYU-Hawaii is third with 40 points and an average finish of 8.0. Hawai‘i Pacific, the two-time reigning Commissioner Cup Champion, is fourth with an average finish of 7.1.

In addition to the three outright titles and the shared championship in men’s soccer, the Lancers also tied for third place in volleyball to produce an average finish of better than second place for its entire athletic program this fall.

Grand Canyon did not win a championship this fall, but its athletic programs finished at least in fourth place in all five sports. Women’s soccer and volleyball took second place, while men’s soccer and women’s cross country finished third. GCU placed fourth in men’s cross country.

BYU-Hawaii saw four of its five programs take third place or better this fall, including winning a volleyball championship. Women’s cross country grabbed second, while men’s cross country and women’s soccer finished eighth.

HPU shared a conference title in men’s soccer, took fourth in women’s soccer and women’s cross country, and placed fifth in volleyball and men’s cross country.

The race for the Commissioner’s Cup is based upon average finish instead of point totals, a change that occurred prior to the 2009-10 campaign. Each school totals its points and then divides it by the number of PacWest athletic programs it offers, giving an overall average finish for the school.

The standings through the fall season include the school, total points and average finish:

1. California Baptist (47.0/5/9.400)
2. Grand Canyon (41.0/5/8.200)
3. BYU-Hawaii (40.0/5/8.000)
4. Hawai‘i Pacific (35.5/5/7.100)
5. Dixie State (27.0/5/5.400)
6. Academy of Art (24.0/5/4.800)
7. Hawai‘i Hilo (16.5/4/4.125)
8. NDNU (20.0/5/4.000)
9. Chaminade (12.5/5/2.500)
10. Dominican (CA) (10.5/5/2.100)

Hawai‘i Pacific, Dixie State, Grand Canyon and Academy of Art sponsor all 11 PacWest programs, while Dominican (CA), BYU-Hawaii, NDNU and Chaminade will compete in 10 (no baseball). California Baptist (no women’s tennis) and Hawai‘i Hilo (no men’s cross country) also compete in 10 sports.

When teams are tied in the standings, the points awarded to those positions are added together then distributed evenly among the schools. The winter season, which is now underway, will crown champions in men’s and women’s basketball, while women’s tennis, men’s golf, baseball and softball will battle for league titles in the spring.

Hawai‘i Pacific has won the last two Commissioner Cups. Hawai‘i Hilo claimed the inaugural trophy in 2007-08 and BYU-Hawaii earned the title in 2008-09.