MSSU men picked first, women second in MIAA cross country

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men have been picked to repeat as champs, while the women were picked fourth in the 2017 MIAA Preseason Cross Country Coaches Poll released today by the league. 

The Southern men were the overwhelming pick to repeat as MIAA Champs, earning nine of the possible ten first-place votes. The Lions return four All-MIAA runners in Tyler Rush, Mike Shanahan, Cody Berry and Jared Haltom. Nine men return from last year's Championship team. 

On the women's side, eight return from last year's team that finished fourth overall at the MIAA Championship. Christian Provence, who was an eighth-place finisher last year at the Championship, returns as the Lions' lone All-MIAA finisher from 2016. 

The Southern men received 98 points and were picked first. Northwest Missouri received two first-place votes and was picked second followed by Nebraska-Kearney, Southwest Baptist and Pittsburg State to round out the top five. Fort Hays State, Lindenwood, Central Missouri, Washburn, Emporia State and Missouri Western round out the men's poll. 

Southwest Baptist was picked to win the women's title with ten first-place votes. Pittsburg State was second, followed by Fort Hays State, Southern and Central Missouri to round out the top five. Central Missouri, Nebraska-Kearney, Central Oklahoma, Northwest Missouri, Emporia State, Lindenwood, Washburn, Missouri Western and Lincoln round out the women's poll. 

The Lions open up the 2017 season on September 2 at Southwest Baptist. 

2017 MIAA Preseason Men's Coaches Poll
1. Missouri Southern (9) 98
2. Northwest Missouri (2) 78
3. Nebraska-Kearney 71
4. Southwest Baptist 68
5. Pittsburg State 67
6. Fort Hays State 60 
7. Lindenwood 59 
8. Central Missouri 39
9. Washburn 32
10. Emporia State 19 
11. Missouri Western 14

2017 MIAA Preseason Women's Coaches Poll
1. Southwest Baptist (10) 141
2. Pittsburg State (2) 131
3. Fort Hays State (1) 126
4. Missouri Southern 108 
5. Central Missouri 96
6. Nebraska-Kearney 95
7. Central Oklahoma 67
8. Northwest Missouri 56
9. Emporia State 54
10. Lindenwood 49
11. Washburn 40
12. Missouri Western 35
13. Lincoln 16