Aug. 22, 2011
ST. LOUIS ­­­- The Illinois State women's cross country team finished second in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll, while the men's team finished fourth, as voted on by league coaches.
The women's team received four first-place votes for a total of 92 points, earning the second spot behind defending MVC champion Wichita State. The Shockers edged out the Redbirds by one point (93), receiving five first-place votes.
The Redbirds return a solid core, including senior Aisha Praught and sophomore Kristen Zillmer. Praught finished seventh at the 2010 State Farm MVC Cross Country Championships with Zillmer right behind her in 21st.
Head cross country coach Jeff Bovee agrees with the second-place ranking for the women.
"We have a lot to prove this season," said Bovee. "We are ready for an outstanding season and can't wait to show who we are week in and week out."
The men's team rounded out the voting in fourth-place, receiving 51 points. The Redbirds graduated their top-four finishers from 2010, however, senior John Navarro and redshirt sophomore Mat Smoody return and will provide leadership to a very talented young team.
Bovee feels the men are right where they belong.
"With a very young team like we have, we are ranked exactly where we should be," said Bovee. "We are capable of placing well, but it depends on how well the freshmen adjust to the longer distance."
Both the men's and women's teams open the season September 2, as they travel to Iowa City, Iowa, to run in the Hawkeye Invitational. The meet is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.
|
2011 MVC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll
|
|
Rank
|
Team (1st-place votes)
|
|
|
Points
|
|
1
|
Wichita State (5)
|
|
|
93
|
|
2
|
Illinois State (4)
|
|
|
92
|
|
3
|
Bradley
|
|
|
|
70
|
|
4
|
Missouri State
|
|
|
65
|
|
5
|
Southern Illinois
|
|
|
62
|
|
6
|
Indiana State (1)
|
|
|
59
|
|
7
|
Drake
|
|
|
|
38
|
|
8
|
Northern Iowa
|
|
|
34
|
|
9
|
Evansville
|
|
|
|
23
|
|
10
|
Creighton
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
2011 MVC Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
|
|
Rank
|
Team (1st-place votes)
|
|
|
Points
|
|
1
|
Indiana State (6)
|
|
|
77
|
|
2
|
Southern Illinois (3)
|
|
|
74
|
|
3
|
Drake
|
|
|
|
58
|
|
4
|
Illinois State
|
|
|
51
|
|
5
|
Northern Iowa
|
|
|
47
|
|
6
|
Wichita State
|
|
|
37
|
|
7
|
Bradley
|
|
|
|
30
|
|
8
|
Creighton
|
|
|
|
16
|
|
9
|
Evansville
|
|
|
|
15
|
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, TRC gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
