Southern Illinoise University Athletics
MVC Cross Country Poll Picks Saluki Men to Place 7th, Women 9th
08/17/2016 | 4:15:00 | Cross Country
   The Missouri Valley Conference released its Cross Country preseason polls Tuesday afternoon, with the Southern Illinois University men picked to finish tied for seventh while the women were picked to place ninth.
   The men's team tallied 27 points to tie Drake University for seventh place in the annual poll. Southern placed fifth in last year's conference championships.
   The Saluki men return four runners and welcome a pair of freshman newcomers in Chris Edwards and Benton-native Gavin Hartley. The men also boast a young roster with three sophomores, including Josh Maier, last year's top finisher from the 2015 MVC Championships.
   The SIU women's team was picked to finish ninth in the preseason poll with 29 points, 13 more than last-place pick Evansville. SIU's women finished ninth in last year's conference meet.
   The women's team also features more youth than experience, returning four sophomores and three juniors. They will also welcome freshman Olivia Murphy, a cross country state champion from Louisiana; Kelly O'Shea, a transfer from Vincennes University and NJCAA All-American in 2015; and Megan Krolak, an Illinois State transfer who will sit out her first year.Â
   The league's coaches picked Bradley University's men's team to repeat as champions for the upcoming season. Wichita State's was picked to win this year's women's title.
   The season opens Sept. 2, when the Salukis compete at the EIU Open in Charleston, Ill. and the Memphis Twilight Classic in Memphis, Tenn.
Players Mentioned
