Cross Country/Track
Men's cross country picked to repeat; women picked third
By
Aug 7, 2009, 16:24

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The defending MIAA champion SBU men's cross country team was picked to repeat as champions while the SBU women were tabbed for third, when the 2009 MIAA preseason coaches polls were released by the conference office.

The SBU men were selected number one in the men's poll with  47 points and five first place votes. Missouri Southern was second with three first place votes and 44 total points. Pittsburg State was third with 37 points.

On the women's side, Missouri Southern (the defending champion) totaled 62 points, including six of the nine first place votes to take the top spot. Following Southern was Pittsburg State with 57 points and two first place votes. SBU was third with 50 points and one first place vote.

"I believe these are the best rankings we've received in the history of the program," said head coach Corey McElhaney. "This year is going to be tough to maintain the ranking on the women's side and will take several upperclassmen stepping up. On the men's side, we lost one out of our top 10 last year but get All-American Michael Pierce back from injury, plus we had a great recruiting class. Our goal is to repeat as champions."

McElhaney was named the 2008 MIAA Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year after his Bearcats raced their way to the MIAA championship.

Both the SBU men's and women's programs open their 2009 season on Friday, September 11 at the UCM Mule Run in Warrensburg, Mo.

2009 MIAA Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Southwest Baptist (5) - 47 pts.
2. Missouri Southern (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 (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.



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