Anchored by All-Missouri Valley Conference runner and 2002 NCAA Indoor Mile Champion Christian Goy, the Illinois State mens cross country team was selected to finish first at the Valley Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, Ind., this weekend in a Pre-championship poll released by the league Monday. The Illinois State womens team is projected to finish third at the championships.
The mens team took five first-place votes for a total of 92 points, while Drake took the remaining five votes for second and 85 points.
On the womens side, SMS claimed all 10 first-place votes for the 100 points, while the Birds grabbed the third spot with 78 points. Bradley finished in second in the womens poll with 86 points.
There will definitely be tough races on both sides Saturday, said assistant track and field coach Chris Bailey, who has primarily handled cross country duties this season. The conference championships are always very competitive, but I think our kids are up to the challenge.
We have been battling injury on and off all season, continued Bailey. I expect the men to come through and the women to do what it takes to finish first as well.
2002 Mens
Pre-Championship
Coaches Poll
(by vote of Valley cross country coaches)
1. Illinois State (5) 92
2. Drake (5) 85
3. Indiana State 82
4. Northern Iowa 71
5. Southwest Missouri State 64
6. Wichita State 51
7. Southern Illinois 43
8. Creighton 29
9. Evansville 18
10. Bradley 14
2002 Womens
Pre-Championship
Coaches Poll
(by vote of Valley cross country coaches)
1. Southwest Missouri State (10) 100
2. Bradley 86
3. Illinois State 78
4. Indiana State 65
5. Southern Illinois 58
6. Northern Iowa 54
7. Creighton 36
8. Drake 29
9. Evansville 24
10. Wichita State 20
