Life University Finishes Ninth in Learfield Directors’ Cup

MARIETTA, Ga. — Following an impressive winter season that saw Life University rank fourth among all NAIA institutions with 495 points in the Learfield Directors' Cup standings, the Running Eagles closed out the year with two more sports contributing top-10 national finishes. In the final standings release of the 2025-26 academic year, Life amassed 705.75 total points to secure a top-10 national finish for the second consecutive year.

The spring season was highlighted by another outstanding year from the track and field programs. On the women's side, the Running Eagles finished as the SSAC runner-up before placing fifth at the NAIA Outdoor National Championships. The program produced seven individual and relay conference champions and qualified 11 athletes for the national meet. At nationals, Life crowned one individual national champion and one national champion relay team while earning four total All-America honors. Leading the way was Emeline Delaville, who captured national titles in both the 800-meter run and the 4x400-meter relay.

Delaville capped off a remarkable season by earning SSAC Women's Track & Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors and was further recognized as the Overall SSAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She also received USTFCCCA South Region Women's Track Athlete of the Year honors, while assistant coach Tasha Sumner was named USTFCCCA South Region Women's Assistant Coach of the Year.

 The success continued with the men's track and field program, which captured its fourth consecutive SSAC Championship before tying for ninth at the NAIA Outdoor National Championships. The Running Eagles crowned seven individual and relay conference champions en route to the conference title and qualified 16 athletes for the national meet. Darius Barge earned USTFCCCA Men's Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year honors, while assistant coach Chris Rogers was named USTFCCCA South Region Men's Outdoor Assistant Coach of the Year. At the national championships, Life produced four individual All-Americans and one national champion. Leading the way was Keondre Glover, who improved upon his indoor All-America performance by clearing a personal-best and NAIA-leading 2.15 meters in the high jump to capture the national championship.

In the winter, the Running Eagles brought home a pair of team trophies, as women's wrestling captured its second consecutive NAIA National Championship while men's wrestling once again finished as national runner-up.

Additionally, both track and field programs competed for indoor national titles, with the women finishing sixth overall and Emeline Delaville earning her third consecutive NAIA indoor 800m championship.

Life University's swimming programs also continued their rise on the national stage, with both teams qualifying athletes for the NAIA Championships and the men's program producing multiple All-Americans. The teams finished 10th and 16th, respectively.

Men's basketball also continued its postseason consistency, returning to the NAIA National Tournament for the third time in four years.

Developed as a joint effort between NACDA and USA Today, the Learfield Directors’ Cup awards points based on each institution’s highest national championship finishes across 13 sports, bringing the annual standings cycle to a close.

THE MOMENTS