NORMAL, Ill. -- The Missouri Valley Conference released its pre-championship coaches' poll Tuesday, and both Illinois State track and field teams earned top-three projections ahead of the 2026 MVC Indoor Championships in Indianapolis on March 1-2.
The Illinois State women were picked to finish second with 106 total votes and one first-place vote in the poll. The Redbird men were selected to finish third with 87 total votes and one first-place vote.
Both squads feature some of the conference's top individual performers heading into the championship meet.
For the women, Becca Heitzig owns the fastest MVC times this season in the 800m and the mile, while Mattison Plummer ranks first in the 3000m.
On the men's side, Julian Baker holds the conference's fastest time in the 5000m. Illinois State's 4x400m relay team also leads the MVC by more than four seconds, and Seth Nelson has recorded the top pole vault mark this season at 5.30m.
MEN
- Northern Iowa (6) – 93
- Indiana State (3) – 88
- Illinois State (1) – 87 Â
WOMEN
- Indiana State (10) – 120
- Illinois State (1) – 106
- Northern Iowa – 101
