The Southern women have won the last three MIAA Cross Country titles in a row and look to make it four as the Lions return the defending MIAA Champion Kimi Shank for her senior campaign. Shank finished second at the regional meet and was ninth at the NCAA meet, earning All-American status. Senior Courtney Waltbillig finished eighth at the MIAA meet last year to earn All-MIAA status, while juniors Silvia Pineda and Victoria Kline were both honorable mention All-MIAA.

Ashley Bunch returns for her senior campaign and Alison Walker returns after a year off for her final season. Junior Olga Bulgarova is back after placing 23rd at last year's MIAA championship and redshirt freshman Ally Benkert should look to get in the fold this season, as well as five talented incoming freshmen.

The Women picked up six of the nine first place votes and they were followed by Pittsburg State and Southwest Baptist. The Gorillas nabbed two first place votes while the Bearcats picked up one. Truman State was fourth, followed by Central Missouri, Fort Hays, Emporia State, Northwest Missouri and Nebraska-Omaha.

On the men's side, the Lions have won every MIAA Cross Country title in the 2000's, but two, with the exception being 2004 and last season. Dustin Dixon returns after a season off recovering from an injury he suffered at the 2007 national championships. The senior won the 2007 MIAA title and helped the Lions to a regional title en route to a successful finish at the NCAA meet that was held in Joplin. Senior Brennan Benkert was second at the 2008 MIAA Championships and was an All-Region selection in 2007.

Jarkko Jarvenpaa and Aki Numella are back for their sophomore seasons, with both earning All-Region status a season ago. Isaac Garcia returns after a season off, but the junior was an All-Region honoree in 2007. Senior Derek Wright is back for his final campaign as sophomores Jake Crocker and Derek Mendell return to bolster a strong returning cast. Redshirt freshman John Williams looks to contribute, as the Lions bring in 12 new runners from a season ago.

The Lions were narrowly edged by Southwest Baptist for first place as the Bearcats had five first place votes to the Lions' three and picked up three more total points. Pittsburg State was third, followed by Central Missouri, a tie for fifth between Emporia State and Truman, Fort Hays at seventh and Northwest Missouri at eighth.

Both teams will open up their 2009 schedule on September 11 at the University of Arkansas.

2009 MIAA Men’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Southwest Baptist (5) – 47 pts.
2. Missouri Southern State (3) – 44 pts.
3. Pittsburg State – 37 pts.
4. Central Missouri – 30 pts.
T5. Emporia State – 18 pts.
T5. Truman State – 18 pts.
7. Fort Hays State – 17 pts.
8. Northwest Missouri State – 13 pts.
 
2009 MIAA Women’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Missouri Southern State (6) – 62 pts.
2. Pittsburg State (2) – 57 pts.
3. Southwest Baptist (1) – 50 pts.
4. Truman State – 42 pts.
5. Central Missouri – 36 pts.
6. Fort Hays State – 30 pts.
7. Emporia State – 22 pts.
8. Northwest Missouri State – 17 pts.
9. Nebraska-Omaha – 8 pts.