ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- The Wichita State women are picked first and the men second in a vote by the league coaches for this weekend's 2015 Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Indiana State is the favorite on the men's side, while Indiana State's women's team is picked second behind the Shockers in the Saturday-Sunday meet.
The UNI-Dome on the campus of Northern Iowa will serve as host for the meet this weekend.
With 61 points and five first place votes, the Sycamores men's team is the team to look out for this weekend. Adarius Washington ranks 14th in the men's 60 meter hurdles with a time of 7.81 seconds, which is second in the MVC. Teammate John Mascari ranks 23rd nationally in the men's 5,000 meters after running a school record of 13:54.88 seconds. This time is the best in the Valley this season.
Following Indiana State in the rankings is Wichita State with 56 points and three first place votes. The men's team at Wichita State has had a great year. This last weekend, Jacob James won the 60-meter hurdles. Justin Scott was second in the men's mile with a time of 4:20.94 and Zach Loesch was second in the shot with a throw of 53-6 1/4.
Rounding out the votes on the men's side is Southern Illinois with 44 points, followed closely by Loyola with 43 points, UNI with 35 points, Illinois State with 25 points, Drake with 16 points, and Bradley with 8 points.
On the women's side, the Wichita State Shockers women's team received 70 points with six first place votes. Wichita State holds 17 top-five performances in indoor track and field in the Valley this season.
Following closely behind Wichita State is Indiana State. Alethia Marrero ranks 15th nationally in the 800 meters after running the second fastest 800 meters in school history with a time of 2:06.01 seconds. Marrero also ranks 57th nationally in the 400 meters with a time of 54.35 seconds, leading the Valley. Katie Wise ran 7.31 seconds in the 60 meters earlier this season which ranks 16th in the nation and leads the Valley.
Rounding out the votes on the women's side is Southern Illinois with 55 points, UNI with 48 points, Missouri State with 37 points, Illinois State with 35 points, Loyola with 20 points, Bradley with 18 points, and Drake with 11 points.
Men's MVC Indoor Track & Field Pre-Championship Poll
1. Indiana State - 61 pts.
2. Wichita State - 56 pts.
3. Southern Illinois - 44 pts.
4. Loyola - 43 pts.
5. UNI - 35 pts.
6. Illinois State - 25 pts.
7. Drake - 16 pts.
8. Bradley - 8 pts.
Women's MVC Indoor Track & Field Pre-Championship Poll
1. Wichita State - 70 pts.
2. Indiana State - 66 pts.
3. Southern Illinois - 55 pts.
4. UNI - 48 pts.
5. Missouri State - 37 pts.
6. Illinois State - 35 pts.
7. Loyola - 20 pts.
8. Bradley - 18 pts.
9. Drake - 11 pts.
