Ryan ChartrandWith three Big West Conference titles this year, Cal Poly has taken third among eight teams in the Big West Commissioner’s Cup, two spots higher than last year’s finish.
The Mustangs won Big West titles in men’s cross country (fourth straight), volleyball and softball.
“I think that it is great that (Cal Poly) is ranked and that we are known for having good sports teams,” Mustang sophomore volleyball outside hitter Kylie Atherstone said. “I know that all the sports teams are hard-working and doing everything they can to win, so it’s nice to see all the hard work pay off.”
Second-place points were awarded to the men’s basketball team, men’s tennis and men’s golf. Women’s basketball and men’s track and field took third.
UC Santa Barbara took the top spot for the sixth time in seven years with five conference titles, including a men’s soccer team that went on to win the national championship. Long Beach State trailed by just one point to take second.
The Commissioner’s Cup standings are ranked according to the Big West standings in the conference’s 17 intercollegiate sports. Points are added and then divided. A 20-point bonus is given to first-place finishers.
UCSB reigned with 112.5 points, followed by Long Beach State (111.5), Cal Poly (94.7), UC Irvine (91.9), Cal State Fullerton (75), Cal State Northridge (71.9), UC Riverside (60) and Pacific (51.7).
“Any time that we can bring recognition to Cal Poly through our sport, it is encouraging because it means we are on the right track,” Cal Poly junior volleyball setter Chelsea Hayes said. “I think it’s great that we placed third. Hopefully we can keep building a strong tradition of success at Cal Poly and place first in years to come.”