Men's and Women's cross country squads picked to win MIAA
Kansas City, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's and
women's cross country squads have both been picked to defend
their crowns as the MIAA Men's and Women's Preseason Cross
Country Coaches Polls were announced by the league office today.
The Southern men were a unanimous
selection to repeat as MIAA Champs, picking up all seven
possible first place votes. This is the second year in a row the
Lions were tabbed as a unanimous preseason favorite to win the
league as Southern returns two of its top five finishers from
last year's MIAA champion team. Defending champion Dustin Dixon
returns as does junior Brennan Benkert who finished tenth.
Southwest Baptist was second,
followed by Pittsburg State, Central Missouri, Emporia State,
Fort Hays, Truman and Northwest Missouri.
The Women picked up all but one
first place vote in the poll and will be trying for their third
consecutive title. The Lions return four top ten finishers from
a season ago, including Junior Kimi Shank (2nd), junior Ashley
Bunch (5th), senior Kara Eckard (7th) and junior Courtney
Waltbillig (10th).
Pittsburg State was second,
followed by Southwest Baptist, Central Missouri, Fort Hays,
Truman, Nebraska-Omaha, Northwest Missouri and Emporia State.
Both teams will open up their
2008 schedule on September 5 at the University of Arkansas.
2008 MIAA Men's Cross Country
Preseason Coaches Poll
School
Pts
1. Missouri Southern (7).......... 49
2. Southwest Baptist (1).......... 40
3. Pittsburg State................ 38
4. Central Missouri............... 27
Emporia State.................. 27
6. Fort Hays State................ 22
7. Truman......................... 13
8. Northwest Missouri State....... 8
Points awarded on a 7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
Coaches could not vote for their own school.
2008 MIAA Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
School
Pts
1. Missouri Southern (7).......... 63
2. Pittsburg State (2)............ 57
3. Southwest Baptist.............. 50
4. Central Missouri............... 40
5. Fort Hays State................ 34
6. Truman......................... 27
7. Nebraska-Omaha................. 20
8. Northwest Missouri State....... 19
9. Emporia State.................. 14
Points awarded on an 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
Coaches could not vote for their own school.
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