NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll
National champion SIU-Edwardsville claimed all eight first-place votes to top the final NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll, the association announced Thursday afternoon.
The Cougars jumped to the top spot from the fifth position after claiming a 49-8 mark and the program’s first national championship.
Lock Haven, who finished second two weeks ago in Akron, Ohio, stayed in the No. 2 spot it has occupied the previous three weeks. Columbus State, who headed to the national tournament ranked first nationally, slipped two places to third.
Florida Southern moved up 16 places to fourth after it won the South regional and advanced to the national tournament for the second straight year. The Mocs knocked Angelo State out of the No. 4 slot, with the Rambelles slipping a place to fifth.
Cal State Stanislaus vaulted six places to sixth after winning the West region to earn a berth in the final eight. Nebraska-Omaha leads a group of nine newcomers in the poll, coming in at No. 7.
National tournament participant LIU-C.W. Post took the No. 8 spot, a jump of two places from the previous rankings. Humboldt State, ranked third most of the season, finished the season ninth, a drop of six places, after getting knocked out of the West regional.
Florida Gulf Coast finished the year ranked in the top 10, moving up one place. FGC jumped in front of Emporia State after the Hornets fell two places to 11th.
Bloomsburg jumped seven places to No. 12, while St. Mary’s (Texas) leaped five places to 13th.
Newcomers dominated the Nos. 14-17 slots, with Grand Valley State leading the way followed by Armstrong Atlantic, Barry and St. Edward’s. Seattle moved into the poll at No. 18, tying for the spot with Augusta State, a team that jumped four places.
SW Minnesota State stayed at No. 21 in the final rankings, sitting between previously-unranked Bryant (No. 20) and Ferris State (No. 22).
Kutztown dropped nine slots to 23rd, coming in ahead of 24th-ranked Adelphi and newcomer Hawaii-Hilo.