KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The SBU women's cross country was picked to finish seventh in the 2010 MIAA preseason coaches poll. The Bearcat women were picked for third in 2009 and finished ninth at the conference meet.
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).
SBU 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 September 3, with both SBU teams hosting the Bearcat Invitational. The 2010 MIAA Cross Country Championships will be run November 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.