Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Men's Cross Country team to begin season regionally-ranked
08/30/2010 | 12:00:00 | Cross Country
Aug. 30, 2010
By Michael Benson
SIUSalukis.com
NEW ORLEANS - The Southern Illinois Salukis men's cross country team will begin the year ranked ninth in the Midwest Region as the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association unveiled their first poll of the season Monday.
The ranking is a slight drop from last season, as the team finished fifth in the region in 2009.
Topping the Midwest Region's poll is Oklahoma State, last year's NCAA champion. Following the Cowboys are Oklahoma, Iowa State, Minnesota, and Iowa.
Rounding out the top ten are Tulsa, Nebraska, Illinois, SIU, and Kansas.
The Salukis are one of three Missouri Valley Conference squads to be ranked in the USTFCCCA's preseason poll, as MVC co-favorite Indiana State holds the sixth spot in the Great Lakes region, while Illinois State trails the Salukis in the Midwest Region with a 12th place ranking.
Southern Illinois will begin their season this Friday, as they host the Saluki Early Bird. The women's race will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's race at 6 p.m.
