Marian Claims 2021-2022 Crossroads League All-Sports Trophy
JACKSON, Mich. – In the tightest finish for the Crossroads League All-Sports Championship since 2016-2017, Marian edged Indiana Wesleyan by 1.5 points to take the 2021-2022 crown. The title marked the second-ever for the Knights, mirroring MU’s same narrow margin over IWU in that 2016-2017 season.
“I think it is a great honor to win the Crossroads League All-Sports Trophy because of how tough it is to win, and with how tough the competition is in the Crossroads League,” stated MU Director of Athletics Steve Downing. “To me, winning this speaks volumes on the number of quality coaches we have and the job that they do. I really appreciate having them and the efforts they put in each year, which means an immense amount to not only myself but to our President (Daniel J. Elsener) as well.”
Marian won regular-season Crossroads League Championship in volleyball, women’s basketball, men’s indoor track, women’s indoor track, men’s bowling, men’s outdoor track and women’s outdoor track. The Knights backed up those seven championships with seven more second-place finishes and ultimately finished top-three in the CL standings in 16-of-20 sports during the 2021-2022 year.
The top finishes led to 168.5 points in the CL All-Sports Standings for Marian, setting a new league record for the highest point total and topping IWU (167.0) in the two-team race for the top spot. The Knights also secured the highest point total on the men’s side with 75.0 points and finished second in the women’s standings to Indiana Wesleyan with 84.5 points.
Points for the Crossroads League All-Sports Championship are awarded based on each team’s finish in the regular-season standings, or for a team’s finish at the league championship event for the sports of cross country, golf, competitive cheer, and indoor and outdoor track and field. A first-place finish earns 10 points, with nine points for second, eight for third, and so on, until each team is given a point value.