MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University athletic department had an outstanding finish in the 2016 Sunshine State Conference Mayor's Cup final standings, with the Sharks' women bringing the cup back to Davie for the first time since 2008 while the men finished sixth overall. 

"Winning the Mayor's Cup speaks to the consistency, continuity and depth of our women's teams at NSU," Director of Athletics Michael Mominey said. "We are proud of all our female teams who had a great regular season. As you can imagine, this is a very competitive and south-after award given that we are in the best conference in the country - the SSC. We are excited to bring the Mayor's Cup back to Davie!"

As conference competition has ended for the year, NSU's women's teams outdistanced themselves from the pack scoring a total of 53.5 points in the final Mayor's Cup tally; more than five points than second-place Saint Leo (48). Out of the nine conference teams, seven scored more than 40 points based on their respective conference finish with Tampa (45) following SLU in third, Barry (43) fourth, Florida Southern (42.5) in fifth, while Rollins (42) and Florida Tech (41.5) finished sixth and seventh, respetively. Lynn (25.5) and Eckerd (15) rounded out the women's final standings.  

The Mayors' Cup was originally presented following the 1986-1987 academic year to recognize the annual SSC all-sports champion. The men's division recognizes competition in eight sports: soccer, cross country, basketball, swimming, golf, tennis, lacrosse and baseball. The Women's Mayors' Cup recognizes competition in nine sports: volleyball, soccer, cross country, basketball, swimming, golf, tennis, softball and rowing. Overall the Sharks have been competitive annually, despite not scoring in lacrosse or men's tennis. 

By virtue of a conference title, the women's basketball team led the way earning the maximum of nine points. Women's golf, rowing, women's soccer and women's swimming each earned second-place points with runner-up finishes. Volleyball added 6.5 points after finishing tied for third with Florida Southern, while women's tennis's third-place finish earned seven points to the final tally. Women's cross country pulled in four points and softball added one point.  

On the men's side, NSU finished sixth overall with a total of 27.5 points, just two and a half points behind fifth-place Rollins. Saint Leo took home the Mayor's Cup crown scoring a total of 46 points, which was 10 points higher than second place Florida Southern that finished with 36. Both Lynn and Tampa finished tied for third with 32.5 points, while Barry and Florida Tech tied for seventh with 25. Eckerd rounded out the men's final standings with 16.5 points.  

Baseball led the way for the NSU men's teams scoring eight points with a second place finish in the final SSC standings. Men's cross country and men's swimming each earned five points apiece with second place showings in their respective conference meets, while basketball finished tied for fifth earning 4.5 and men's soccer added one point. 
 
Women's Full Standings:
Nova Southeastern - 53.5
Saint Leo - 48
Tampa - 45
Barry - 43
Florida Southern - 42.5
Rollins - 42
Florida Tech - 41.5
Lynn - 25.5
Eckerd - 15
 
Men's Full Standings:
Saint Leo - 46
Florida Southern - 36
Lynn - 32.5
Tampa - 32.5
Rollins - 30
Nova Southeastern - 27.5
Barry - 25
Florida Tech - 25
Eckerd - 16.5

About the Mayors' Cup
In an effort to further recognize the achievements of its student-athletes and member institutions, the Sunshine State Conference awards the institution in both men's and women's athletics that performs the greatest over the fall, winter, and spring sport seasons. The Mayors' Cup is awarded annually as a symbol of excellence in athletics over the conference's 18 championship sports.

Member institutions earn points for the finish of each varsity team in officially recognized conference sports. Teams receive points for final position in regular season standings (volleyball, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's lacrosse, softball and baseball) or in final championship standings (men's and women's cross country, men's and women's swimming, men's and women's golf and rowing).