GoSycamores.com

TERRE HAUTE, IND. - The Indiana State men's cross country team was picked to defend their championship while the Sycamore women were picked sixth according to the annual pre-season poll of league coaches which was released today by the Valley office.

The Sycamore men had six first place votes and 77 points to top the poll for the 2011 Championship which will be held on the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center October 30. The Indiana State women also received a first place vote and had 59 points to be picked sixth for this year's championship.

"Looking at those returning in the Valley this season we were the logical choice to be the favorite," John McNichols, Indiana State men's cross country coach said. "But this poll really doesn't mean anything. There are different people with different personalities this season and we will see how they fit together."

Southern Illinois has finished second to the Sycamores in the last two championships and was picked to finish second this year as they garnered three first place votes and 74 points. Drake was picked third with 58 points while Illinois State is fourth (51), Northern Iowa fifth (47), Wichita State sixth (37), Bradley seventh (30), Creighton eighth (16), and Evansville ninth (15).

"Drake will be a lot better this year and Southern is always tough," McNichols said. "Illinois State and Northern Iowa lost some quality runners but could be in the mix."

The rankings are something to look at and talk about but McNichols knows that the champion will only be determined on the course this October.

"The poll is a point of discussion as we get ready for the season but it really doesn't mean anything," McNichols said. "We will have to work hard, stay healthy, and win it on the course to repeat as champion."

Wichita State has won the last five women's titles and is picked to do so again this year with five first place votes and 93 points. Waiting in the wings is the Illinois State Redbirds who garnered four first place votes and 92 points. Bradley is third (70), Missouri State fourth (65), Southern Illinois fifth (62), and Indiana State sixth (59) with the other first place vote. Rounding out the poll is Drake in seventh (38), Northern Iowa eighth (34), Evansville ninth (23), and Creighton 10th (14).

"I am really pleased that someone picked us first," John Gartland, Indiana State women's cross country coach, said. "I picked us second. The coaches realized that we lost our top runner in Allison Malone but what they don't realize is the quality of our newcomers and how hard our returnees have been working this summer."

Gartland believes that this year's team could be one of his best but they will have to prove it on the course and not on paper.

"Only time will tell what this team will accomplish," Gartland said. "They certainly have the ability to be better than they are picked. They will have to work hard throughout the season and make a statement to the rest of the league when we host the conference championship."

Indiana State will open the 2011 campaign on Sept. 3 when they run in the Evansville Mid-America.