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MIAA Press Release

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Northwest Missouri State University cross country men's team was ranked second while the women were ranked eighth in the 2017 MIAA Preseason Coaches Polls which were released on Thursday. The Bearcat men had 78 points and two first place votes while the Northwest women had 56 points. The polls are voted on by the conference's head coaches who cannot vote for their own teams.

On the men's side, Missouri Southern was first with 98 points and nine first place votes. For the women, Southwest Baptist had 141 points and 10 first place votes. Pittsburg State also received two first place votes and was second with 131 points. Fort Hays State had 126 points and one first place vote. This will be the first year of competition for the Missouri Western cross country teams.

The season will officially begin on Friday, Sept. 1, with the Bearcat Open in Maryville, Mo.
 
2017 MIAA Preseason Men's Coaches Poll
1. Missouri Southern (9) - 98
2. Northwest Missouri (2) - 78
3. Nebraska-Kearney - 71
4. Southwest Baptist - 68
5. Pittsburg State - 67
6. Fort Hays State - 60
7. Lindenwood - 59
8. Central Missouri - 39
9. Washburn - 32
10. Emporia State - 19
11. Missouri Western - 14

2017 MIAA Preseason Women's Coaches Poll
1. Southwest Baptist (10) - 141
2. Pittsburg State (2) - 131
3. Fort Hays State (1) - 126
4. Missouri Southern - 108
5. Central Missouri - 96
6. Nebraska-Kearney - 95
7. Central Oklahoma - 67
8. Northwest Missouri - 56
9. Emporia State - 54
10. Lindenwood - 49
11. Washburn - 40
12. Missouri Western - 35
13. Lincoln - 16