SIOUX FALLS, S.D.— Second-place finishes in four of six Summit League winter sports helped South Dakota maintain its lead in the Commissioner's Cup standings released Friday by the conference office. The Coyotes and South Dakota State lead the field with 56.5 points each. North Dakota State is 10 points behind in third place.
 
The final standings in six winter sports, along with results from the five fall sports, account for the point totals. Runner-up finishes in women's basketball, women's indoor track and field, and men's and women's swimming and diving added 22 points to USD's tally. Men's basketball's fifth-place finish earned 4.5 points and men's indoor track and field's fourth-place finish netted four points.
 
In addition to the overall count, the Summit League recognizes a women's all-sport award and men's all-sport award. The Coyotes, who have won the last two Dr. Helen Smiley Women's All-Sport Awards, extended their lead during the winter season. USD has 40 points while SDSU has 32.5 and North Dakota State and Denver have 29 points each.
 
South Dakota State leads the men's all-sport standings with 24 points, North Dakota State is second with 17.5 points and South Dakota is in third place with 16.5 points.
 
The number of teams that participate in each sport determines the total number of points possible for that sport. For example, six of the nine Summit League members sponsor men's indoor track and field meaning the first-place finisher in the standings receives six points, the second-place finisher receives five points and so on.
 
Spring sports still to come include baseball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's outdoor track and field, men's and women's tennis and softball.

Commissioner's Cup (Winter Standings)
1.    South Dakota    56.5
1.    South Dakota State    56.5
3.    North Dakota State    46.5
4.    Denver    39.0
5.    Omaha    33.0
6.    Oral Roberts    30.0
7.    Purdue Fort Wayne    29.5
8.    North Dakota    28.5
9.    Western Illinois    21.5

Dr. Helen Smiley Women's All-Sport Award Standings
1.    South Dakota    40.0
2.    South Dakota State    32.5
3.    North Dakota State    29.0
3.    Denver    29.0
5.    Omaha    21.0
5.    North Dakota    21.0
7.    Oral Roberts    20.5
8.    Purdue Fort Wayne    16.0
9.    Western Illinois    13.0

Dr. William Steinbrecher Men's All-Sport Award Standings
1.    South Dakota State    24.0
2.    North Dakota State    17.5
3.    South Dakota    16.5
4.    Purdue Fort Wayne    13.5
5.    Omaha    12.0
6.    Denver    10.0
7.    Oral Roberts    9.5
8.    Western Illinois    8.5
9.    North Dakota    7.5