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ST. LOUIS  --  The Wichita State men's and women's track and field teams received top votes in the 2017 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track and Field pre-championship coaches poll, it was announced today by the MVC office. Wichita State is coming off a sweep of the 2017 Indoor Championships, as well as the 2016 Outdoor Championships.

On the men's side, the Shockers tallied 63 points and received seven of eight possible first-place rankings. Wichita State will look to bring strong multi and field athletes in notables Hunter Veith, Ben Johnson, Zach Loesch and Jared Belardo.

Northern Iowa took the second-place spot in the poll with a total of 55 points, and was the only team outside of WSU to claim a first-place vote. Brandon Carnes has led the way for the Panthers, clocking nationally ranked times throughout the season.

Southern Illinois came in right behind in third with 50 points. The Salukis have boasted strong performances from their field athletes this outdoor season from notables Kyle Landon, Jared Kern and Isaac Ingram. Sprinter Warren Hazel has also been a key competitor for SIU.

Last season's outdoor host, Indiana State, took fourth in the poll with a total of 37 votes. Marcus Neely has been a staple MVC Track Athlete of the Week is expected to make strides for points at the championships. Deyvn Mikell is also expected to find a placing in the field.

Bradley just barely edged out Illinois State to take the fifth-place ranking, finishing with 29 points. Haran Dunderdale has been the hero of the season for the Braves, along with solid showings from Daniel Gagne.

The Redbirds were one point shy of cracking the top-five in the poll, finishing in sixth with 28 points. Derrius Rodgers and Anthony McRoberts are notable track performers for Illinois State.

Drake would take the seventh-place spot and Loyola landed the final position with 18 and 8 points, respectively. Distance runner Reed Fischer will lead the path for the Bulldogs, while the Ramblers will look to the trio of Jake Mazanke, Eric Burns and Kevin White to make an impact.

On the women's side, Wichita State received all first-place votes, giving them a total of 81 out of 81 points possible in the poll. Nikki Larch-Miller and Rebekah Topham have been strong performers for the Shockers on the track, along with Jamesia Milton in the field. Multi-competitors Marteisha Caines, Breanne Borman, and Gayvn Yetter are expected to standout, as well.

Illinois State came in right behind with 70 points and received six second-place votes. Sophomore Amanda McClain has recorded competitive numbers through both the indoor and outdoor seasons in the long jump and mid-distance. Sprinter D'Jenne Egharavba is expected to snag points for the Redbirds, while Morgan Keller will help the team in the field.

Indiana State claimed third in the poll with 65 points. The Sycamores will try to take control of the track led by notables Brooke Moore, Alethia Marrero, and Taylor Austin.

Southern Illinois took the fourth-place ranking, receiving a total of 56 points. Freya Block has been dominant in the field for the Salukis, while Mystique Thompson and Ty'Juana Eason lead the way on the track.

Northern Iowa rounded out the top-five with 44 points. Lindsey Kite and Sara Pate are no strangers to the MVC award stand, and freshman Hannah Truniger will look to continue her strong outdoor campaign.

The women of Missouri State were voted to the sixth-place spot, finishing with a total of 36 points. Veteran Marissa Kurtimah will lead the charge for the Bears, alongside teammates Holly Pettie-Belli and Melanie Raterman.

Drake (27), Loyola (17) and Bradley (11) rounded out the bottom three. Notables include: Mary Young and Taryn Rolle for the Bulldogs, Cassie Bloch and Kiera Washpun for the Ramblers, and Rachel Sudbury for the Braves.