CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Big Sky Conference preseason cross country coaches' polls were revealed on Monday, with the Thunderbird men slated to finish second in the conference and the women picked fourth.
On the men's side the Thunderbirds received three first-place votes, and 135 total points. Northern Arizona was selected as the top team heading into the season with nine first-place votes and 141 total points. Last year at the Big Sky Championships the Thunderbirds finished runner-up to NAU, one year removed from topping them for the Big Sky Championship in 2015. NAU went on to win the NCAA National Championship.
For the Thunderbirds Mike Tate has rejoined the cross country roster for his senior season, joining a group that made their third trip to the NCAA National Championships and brought all of their top competitive team back.
Last season the women's team finished third at the Big Sky Championships, and have been selected to be just one spot below that this season. The Lumberjacks of NAU have also been selected to be the top team in the conference on the women's side, receiving 10 first place votes.
The women's team is looking for another year of improvement, led by a group of returners and solid incoming athletes that have the potential to be competitive right away.
The full release from the Big Sky Conference can be read here: http://bigskyconf.com/news/2017/8/21/cross-country-northern-arizona-predicted-to-repeat-in-bigskyxc-preseason-poll.aspx
For all things SUU cross country follow @SUUTrackandxc on Twitter and Instagram and like the Southern Utah Track and XC page on Facebook.
Men's Preseason Coaches' Poll
|
Place
|
Team
|
Votes (First Place Votes)
|
|
1
|
Northern Arizona
|
141 (9)
|
|
2
|
Southern Utah
|
135 (3)
|
|
3
|
Weber State
|
118
|
|
4
|
Idaho
|
104
|
|
5
|
Montana State
|
91
|
|
6
|
Idaho State
|
79
|
|
7
|
Eastern Washington
|
74
|
|
8
|
Sacramento State
|
57
|
|
9
|
Montana
|
53
|
|
10
|
Portland State
|
48
|
|
11
|
North Dakota
|
21
|
|
12
|
Northern Colorado
|
15
|
Women's Preseason Coaches' Poll
|
Place
|
Team
|
Votes (First Place Votes)
|
|
1
|
Northern Arizona
|
141 (10)
|
|
2
|
Weber State
|
122 (1)
|
|
3
|
Montana
|
113 (1)
|
|
4
|
Southern Utah
|
111
|
|
5
|
Idaho
|
106
|
|
6
|
Eastern Washington
|
77
|
|
7
|
Montana State
|
75
|
|
8
|
Idaho State
|
51
|
|
9
|
Sacramento State
|
46
|
|
10
|
Portland State
|
45
|
|
11
|
Northern Colorado
|
37
|
|
12
|
North Dakota
|
12
|
