MSSU women's cross country picked to finish third

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern women's cross country team has been picked to finish third in the 2014 MIAA Women's Cross Country Coaches Poll, the league announced today. 

The Lions earned three of the possible 11 first-place votes (teams can't vote for themselves). The top four teams were packed as just eight points separated first-place from fourth. 

Southern returns 11 runners from a season ago and virtually every point scorer from last year's fourth-place finishing squad at the MIAA Championships. Southern also returns Kaitlyn Belisle who sat out last year with an injury, as well as NCAA qualifier Dora Eastin. 

2013 MIAA Champion Southwest Baptist was picked to repeat as champs this year, earning five of the 11 first-place votes. Pittsburg State earned one first-place vote and picked up 86 points, while the Lions had three top votes and earned 85 points. Nebraska-Kearney was picked to finish fourth, while Central Missouri, Northwest Missouri, Fort Hays, Central Oklahoma, Lindenwood, Lincoln and Emporia State round out the poll. 

The Lions will open up the regular season with the 2014 Southern Stampede on September 20 at the MSSU Cross Country Course. 

2014 MIAA Preseason Women's Coaches Poll
1. Southwest Baptist (5)        91
2. Pittsburg State (1)          86

3. Missouri Southern (3) 85
4. Nebraska-Kearney (2)         83 
5. Central Missouri             63
6. Northwest Missouri   51
7. Fort Hays State      
       47       
8. Central Oklahoma             36
9. Lindenwood                   31
10. Lincoln                     20 
11. Emporia State               12