The Missouri Southern men's and women's cross country teams are among the region's best according to the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association who released its preseason regional polls this week.
The Southern men, the reigning Cenral Region Champs, are ranked No. 1 in the preseason poll. The Southern women are ranked fifth in the preseason poll.
The men won last year's regional title, snapping a stretch of six-straight for Augustana. After finishing second in the previous two regional meets, the Lions return every scorer off of last year's championship team, including the returning champion Gidieon Kimutai. Kimutai, now a sophomore, joins transfer Ryan Riddle (Tulsa) as well as an experienced returning corps of runners that should prove to be among the best teams in Division II this year. Cody Berry and Josh Webb were both All-Region picks along with Kimutai last year and return to bolster the lineup.
The Lions are the top team in the preseason poll, followed by last year's runner-up Sioux Falls. Augustana is third, followed by Minnesota State Moorhead, Southwest Baptist, Fort Hays State, Nebraska-Kearney, Pittsburg State, East Central and Washburn to round out the poll.
On the women's side, the Lions finished sixth at last years Central Region Meet, while junior Ashlee Kuykendall placed fifth individually to earn All-Region status. The team lost just one runner from last year's squad.
Defending Regional Champion, the University of Mary, was the preseason No. 1 team in the poll. Augustana was second, followed by Pittsburg State, Oklahoma Baptist, the Lions, Minnesota-Duluth, Nebraska-Kearney, Fort Hays state, Minnesota State and East Central to round out the poll.
The Lions open up the regular season on September 7 when both squads participate at the Southwest Baptist Invite.
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