Iowa sits in 33rd place in the most recent Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup standings with 264.25 points.

The season-long competition was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in national-championship competition in up to 10 men’s sports and 10 women’s sports.

Iowa’s current point total is a 42.25 point improvement from a year ago. The Hawkeye wrestling team and track and field squad provided a huge help to the boost. The wrestlers finished third at the NCAA championships, and the men’s track and field team took home an eight-place finish — a school record.

The men’s and women’s track and field team accounts for 100.75 of the total points, and the grapplers are responsible for 85 points.

Iowa finished last season in 55th place.

The Big Ten leads the country with five teams ranked in the top 10. Iowa currently ranks seventh in the conference.

— by J.T. Bugos