MSSU, TSU Share Top Spot in Women’s XC Poll

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Missouri Southern, the 2009 MIAA champion, and Truman, last season’s runner-up, share the honor of preseason No. 1 in the 2010 women’s cross country coaches poll, the conference office announced Friday.
 
Missouri Southern garnered five first-place votes, and Truman received four as both accumulated 76 points to tie for the top spot. In addition to winning the MIAA championship in 2009, Southern also won the NCAA South Central Regional title and went on to finish third at the NCAA Championships. Truman posted a third-place finish at regionals last season.
 
Pittsburg State received the one remaining first-place vote and earned 67 points to take the No. 3 spot in the preseason poll. Northwest Missouri comes in at No. 4 with 49 points, followed closely by Fort Hays State at No. 5 (44 points) and Central Missouri at No. 6 (42 points).
 
Southwest Baptist was voted No. 7 with 32 points, Nebraska-Omaha was selected No. 8 with 31 points, Emporia State was picked ninth with 23 points, and Lincoln was tabbed No. 10 with 10 points.
 
The 2010 cross country season is set to begin Sept. 3. The 2010 MIAA Cross Country Championships will be run Nov. 6 in Hays, Kan.

2010 MIAA Women’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
T1. Missouri Southern (5) – 76 pts.
T1. Truman (4) – 76 pts.
3. Pittsburg State (1) – 67 pts.
4. Northwest Missouri – 49 pts.
5. Fort Hays State – 44 pts.
6. Central Missouri – 42 pts.
7. Southwest Baptist – 32 pts.
8. Nebraska-Omaha – 31 pts.
9. Emporia State – 23 pts.
10. Lincoln – 10 pts.