Redbird Men Tabbed Second, Women Third in Preseason Poll

ST. LOUIS -- The Illinois State men's cross country team was selected to finish second in the Missouri Valley Conference for the 2014 season, while the women are tabbed third, as announced by the league office Tuesday.

Returning everyone from the 2013 squad, the Redbird men look to be in good position for the upcoming season. ISU tallied 66 points and two first-place votes, one point shy of preseason favorite Southern Illinois, which earned 67 points and three first-place votes. Bradley also tallied two first-place ballots, finishing the preseason voting in fourth, while Loyola claimed the third-place slot with one first-place vote and 61 points.

Ryan Rutherford will look to lead the Redbird men's team, after earning All-Valley accolades with a second-place finish at the 2013 Valley Championships. Adding to his list of accomplishments, Rutherford notched All-Midwest honors for a 20th-place finish in Ames, Iowa, and broke the Illinois State school record with an 8K time of 23:50. Rutherford also boasted two second-place finishes at the MVC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, earning All-Valley honors, accompanying his 18th-place finish at the NCAA West Regional and ISU records in the 5K and 10K.

The Redbirds also return MVC honorable mention Tyler Morse, who finished 14th at last year's Championships. Senior Sean Senf will look to captain his team to a Valley title, while junior Dave Eckhart and sophomore Jeff Bajema will be assets for the ISU squad as well.

On the women's side, Illinois State tallied one first-place vote and 77 points, earning them a third-place preseason mark. The Southern Illinois women were the favorites to win, notching six first-place votes for a total of 95 points. Bradley was a close second with three first-place votes and 90 points.

The Redbird women will have to replace the 2013 MVC individual champion Rachael Brewer, along with Kristen Zillmer, but senior Kim Christensen and junior Kelly McShea will look to take back their championship title. Christensen and McShea along with junior Haley Goers each posted top-20 finishes at last year's Valley meet finishing 14th, 17th and 16th, respectively. The Redbird women will see six newcomers also looking to make an impact for the ISU squad. 

Both the men's and women's teams open up the 2014 season Sept. 5, as they will compete in the Wisconsin Badger Season Opener. The race is slated for a 5:30 p.m., start time.

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