CLEVELAND – Benedictine College Athletics earned a top 25 finish on Tuesday in the final 2026 NAIA Learfield Directors' Cup Standings, scoring 619 points to earn the No. 18 spot in the ranking after the conclusion of the 2025-26 academic year.

"We finished higher again this year, after our highest-ever finish last season," said Benedictine Athletic Director Charlie Gartenmayer. "On the heels of earning the Heart Commissioners' Cup, this is just another example of our sustained success throughout the year. Congratulations to all of our student-athletes, coaches and support staff on another outstanding season. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to campus in August for the start of the new season."

Benedictine finished at No. 23 after the 2024-25 academic year and improved on that position this season. The Ravens earned 181.5 points in the fall, 200 points in the winter and finished off the spring with 237.5 points. Of the scoring sports eligible in the spring, Women's Lacrosse earned 100 points, Women's Track & Field earned 55 points Men's Track & Field earned 45 points and Softball earned 37.5 points. 

Raven Athletics was the second-highest scoring member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference in the final standings. Grand View University finished at No. 13 with 638.5 points – scoring just 87.5 points in the spring. 

The Heart finished with a total of three schools in the Top 25 as William Penn finished with 514 points at No. 24. Central Methodist (26) and MNU (28) gave the Heart five total top 30 finishers.

Benedictine was ranked No. 17 at the conclusion of the fall and dropped to No. 20 after the conclusion of the winter. 

Overall, 13 sports are counted in the final NAIA standings, four of which must be men's basketball, men's soccer, women's basketball and women's volleyball. The next highest (9 max.) sports scored for each institution, regardless of gender, are used in the standings. The Learfield Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in NAIA Championships.

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