ST. LOUIS – After sweeping the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships in the 2017-18 season, the Illinois State men's and women's track & field teams have both been tabbed as the favorites to claim the 2018-19 MVC crown, the league announced Tuesday via the pre-season coaches' polls.
At the 2017-18 MVC Indoor Track & Field Championships, the Redbirds completely dominated the competition, as the men won the Valley title by a margin of 70 points and the women won by a margin of 35 points en route to their first indoor conference sweep since 1997. The 2018 MVC Program of the Year, the Redbirds will look to continue their winning ways during the 2018-19 campaign.
The Illinois State women were chosen as the distinct favorite to win the 2018-19 Valley Championship, receiving nine of a possible 10 first place votes for a total of 99 voter points. The 2017-18 MVC Indoor Runner-Up Indiana State received the final first place vote, and was predicted to place second with 89 voter points. Northern Iowa was selected third with 76 voter points, just edging out fourth-place Southern Illinois (74 voter points). Missouri State (61 voter points) rounded out the top-five.
The Redbird women return 12 student-athletes who received All-Valley honors during last year's indoor season, including Demetria Anderson, Tessa Holland, Amanda McClain, and Brandy Thomas, who all won individual MVC titles in their respective events.
The men's voting was more divided, but the Redbirds still came out on top, receiving five of a possible nine first place votes and 75 voter points. The 2017-18 MVC Indoor Runner-Up Indiana State and 2018 MVC Outdoor Champion Northern Iowa finished close behind, notching 68 and 67 voter points, respectively. The Sycamores and Panthers also shared the remainder of the first place votes, with Indiana State notching one first place vote and Northern Iowa receiving three. Southern Illinois (58 voter points) and Bradley (40 voter points) completed the top-five.
The Illinois State men welcome back nine All-Conference performers from last year's indoor campaign, including Ryan Ashenbremer, James Brandenburg, and J.D. LaFayette, who all claimed individual Valley titles in their respective events.
The Redbird men's and women's track & field teams will open the 2018-19 campaign Saturday when they travel to Iowa City, Iowa, to compete in the Jimmy Grant Open, hosted by Iowa. More information about the meet will be posted to GoRedbirds.com later in the week.
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