ERIE, Pa. -- Mercyhurst University posted a 19th-place finish in the 2015-16 Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings as announced recently. The Lakers accumulated a total of 487.75 points and -- with its second straight Top 20 finish -- recorded back-to-back Top 20 finishes for the first time since the annual award was created in 1996.

The Learfield Sports 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 up to 14 sports -- seven women's and seven men's.

Mercyhurst picked up 344.50 points during a spring season that saw seven of its teams represented in the NCAA championship events. Finishing fourth in the country, the Laker women's rowing team claimed 80 points for Mercyhurst in the Learfield standings. Baseball (64), men's golf (50.5), men's tennis (50), women's tennis (50), men's lacrosse (25) and women's lacrosse (25) also chipped in during the spring season.

During the winter, wrestling (68.25) and men's basketball (50) earned points for the Lakers.

Mercyhurst had the second-highest spring total, finishing behind only Saint Leo (400.5).

The Lakers were also the highest-scoring school from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. The next closest institution was West Chester, which placed 27th with 412 points.

Grand Valley State won the 2015-16 Learfield Sports Directors' Cup with 1,070 total points. It was followed in the Top 5 by Saint Leo (723.50), California-San Diego (646), California Baptist (611.25) and Minnesota State (595.50).