MSSU, SBU Top MIAA XC Preseason Polls

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Missouri Southern and Southwest Baptist, the defending MIAA champions in women's and men's cross country, respectfully, were voted as the two preseason number ones in the 2009 MIAA coaches polls, the league office announced Friday.

Missouri Southern totaled 62 points, including six of the nine first-place votes to take the top spot in the women's poll. Southwest Baptist was selected No. 1 in the men's poll with 47 points and five first-place votes.

Following Missouri Southern in the No. 2 spot in the women's poll was Pittsburg State with 57 points and two first-place votes. The Gorilla women also finished second at the 2008 MIAA Cross Country Championships.

Southwest Baptist was voted third in the women's poll, receiving one first-place vote and tallying 50 total points. The Bearcats were the third-place finishers at the conference championships a year ago.

Coming in at No. 4 in the women's poll was Truman State, the fourth-place team at the 2008 MIAA Championships. The Bulldogs received 42 points in the poll.

Central Missouri was fifth in the women's poll with 36 points, Fort Hays State was voted sixth with 30 points, Emporia State came in seventh with 22 points, Northwest Missouri State was selected eighth with 17 points and Nebraska-Omaha was ninth with eight points.

On the men's side, Missouri Southern was selected as the No. 2 team. The Lions garnered three first-place votes and had 44 total points. The Southern men finished third at the 2008 MIAA Championships.

Pittsburg State came in third in the men's poll with 37 points. The Gorillas were the runners-up at the MIAA Championships a year ago.

Central Missouri was voted No. 4 in the men's poll, receiving 30 points. The Mules were sixth at the conference championships last year.

Truman State and Emporia State tied for fifth in the women's poll with 18 points apiece, Fort Hays State was seventh with 17 points and Northwest Missouri State was voted eighth with 13 points.

MIAA cross country action begins Sept. 4. The 2009 MIAA Cross Country Championships will take place Oct. 24 in Emporia, Kan.

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.