Washington women's track and cross country program ranked #3 overall D1 program this season...

NEW ORLEANS--The University of Washington women's track and cross country program (photo of NCAA distance medley relay squad of Jordan Carlson, Baylee Mires, Chelsea Orr & Katie Flood by Paul Merca) finished third in the Terry Crawford Program of the Year award for the 2011-2012 academic school year, as announced on Tuesday by the USTFCCCA.

The third place finish by the Huskies, with a total combined score of 35 points is the highest ranking by the school since the award was started by the USTFCCCA (United States Track and Field & Cross Country Coaches Association) four years ago.

The award is based on the school's placing in cross country, indoor, and outdoor track & field at the NCAA championships. The Huskies were second in cross country, tied for 23rd indoors, and were eighth at the recently concluded outdoor championships in Des Moines, Iowa.

In order to qualify, a school must qualify and score points at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in November, the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in March, and the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in June.

The Oregon Ducks, led by Director of Track & Field Vin Lananna, notched an award record eight points (low score wins) with their combined finishes among the three sports. The indoor national crown and outdoor runner-up showing was added to Oregon’s fifth-place finish in cross country from the fall to produce the score.

Just ahead of Washington for second was Stanford with 29 1/2 points (10th cross country, tie for 13th indoors, and sixth outdoors). This gave the Pac-12 a sweep of all three podium positions.

"Finishing as the third-best program of the year is a tremendous accomplishment which we as a coaching staff are extremely proud of," said Husky Head Coach Greg Metcalf. "Even though only a few athletes score at the championships, it takes a total team effort and we took a lot of strides towards becoming a well-rounded group this year."

The Terry Crawford Women's Program of the Year Award is named after USTFCCCA Hall of Famer and former Tennessee, Texas, and Cal Poly head coach Terry Crawford. Crawford has won five NCAA National Championships, and over 20 conference Championships.

The USTFCCCA release is available here; Washington's release is available here.

Washington's NCAA 1500 meter champ Katie Flood will compete in the US Olympic Team Trials--Track & Field in Eugene, Oregon on day 8 of the meet (June 29th) with the finals on the last day, July 1st.

NOTE: The University of Washington and the USTFCCCA contributed to this report.