ST. LOUIS -- Wichita State men's and women's indoor track and field teams were voted first in the coaches pre-season conference poll, it was announced today by the Missouri Valley Conference Office.
For the men, Wichita State's continued dominance shown through in the voting as the team received 62 votes, 12 more than the runner-up. The Shockers won both the MVC Indoor and Outdoor conference championships last season.
Indiana State took second in the poll, ending with a total of 50 votes. The Salukis of Southern Illinois took the third place spot, receiving 43 votes.
Northern Iowa took the fourth-place spot over fifth-place Illinois State by a one-vote margin. The Panthers finished with a total of 38 to the Redbirds 37.
Drake (19), Bradley (17), Loyola (14) rounded out the sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-place finishes in the poll.
On the women's side of the conference, Wichita State was voted in the first place position by eight of the nine Valley coaches, receiving a total of 72 points. Last season, the Shockers were the runner-up in the MVC Indoor Championships at Northern Iowa in February. The team then went on to claim the conference title at the MVC Outdoor Championships at Indiana State in May.
Illinois State, the defending MVC Indoor Champions, claimed second in the poll. The Redbirds ended with the a total of 57 votes. Southern Illinois followed closely behind to round out the top three. The Salukis came in third with 52 votes.
Indiana State edged out Northern Iowa for fourth place by one vote. The Panthers received 46 votes to the Sycamores 45. Missouri State filed in the middle of the pack with a total of 40 votes for sixth place.
Drake (19), Bradley (16), and Loyola (14) took the seventh-, eighth-, and ninth-place finishes in the poll.
The MVC Indoor Track and Field Championship is set for Feb. 25-26 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
