TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - On the strength of winning three different league championships in 2011-12, the Sycamores finished fifth in the Missouri Valley Conference All-Sports Trophy Standings as announced today (May 21) by the league office. The Sycamores won the men's cross country, men's outdoor track and field and baseball championships during the past academic year.

Additionally, the Sycamores' three MVC championships earned over the course of the year finished third in the league behind All-Sports Trophy winner Missouri State who finished with five and runner-up Wichita State who tallied four.

The Sycamores fifth place finish is its first in the Top 5 since a similar ranking in 2005-06 and its highest since earning the fourth place spot in 2004-05 and 2000-01.

The Bears earned their first MVC All-Sports Trophy since 2002-03 with an average finish of 2.62, edging out the Shockers who averaged a 2.87 finish in all sports. Illinois State averaged a 3.35 finish while Northern Iowa was fourth with a 4.57 mark. The Sycamores averaged a 4.92 finish in all sports over the course of the year. Only the top five finishers are released each year by the league.

The All-Sports Trophy is based on a school's average finish in each of the sponsored championships by the Missouri Valley Conference. Teams are awarded one point for first, two for second, three for third, etc., and the total accumulated points are divided by the number of sports in which a particular school competes. Finishes in baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball are based on regular-season competition. All other sports are determined by finish at the championship tournament or championship meet.