ST. LOUIS - The Indiana State Men's Track & Field team was picked third and the Sycamore women were tabbed to finish second in the 2019 Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Pre-Championship Poll, the Valley announced Thursday morning.
 
On the men's side, Illinois State was once again picked to win the conference championships with 77 points and 6 first place votes, while UNI was picked second with three first place votes and 71 points. ISU picked up 64 points in third and was chosen in front of Southern Illinois, Bradley, Drake, Loyola, Valparaiso and Evansville.
 
In the conference standings, 22 student athletes and two relays find themselves in the top-eight of the MVC with Matthew Lewis-Banks as the lone Sycamore to sit in first in his respective event, with his time of 7.93 in the 60-meter hurdles leading the Valley.
 
The Illinois State women were also chosen to win the conference with 99 points and nine first place votes, while Indiana State was selected second with one first place vote and 91 points in front of Southern Illinois, Northern Iowa, Missouri State, Loyola, Bradley, Drake, Valparaiso and Evansville.
 
29 Sycamore women and two relays find themselves in the top-eight of the MVC standings with four athletes leading their respective events.
 
On the track, Ayanna Morgan has the top time in the 60-meter hurdles at 8.39, while Brooke Moore leads the Valley in both the mile and 3K with times of 4:44.15 and 9:23.53, respectively.
 
Erin Reese and Cassaundra Roper lead the way in the field for the blue and white. Reese owns the top mark in the weight throw of 21.81m (71-06.75), while Roper has the best toss in the shot put of 15.95m (52-04.00).
 
The 2019 MVC Indoor Track & Field Championships will take place begin on Saturday, Feb. 23 and will be held in Cedar Falls, Iowa at the UNI Dome.
 
Men's Pre-Championship Poll
1. Illinois State - 77 (6)
2. Northern Iowa - 71 (3)
3. Indiana State - 64
4. Southern Illinois - 56
5. Bradley - 44
6. Drake - 35
7. Loyola - 31
8. Valparaiso - 18
9. Evansville - 9
 
Women's Pre-Championship Poll
1. Illinois State - 99 (9)
2. Indiana State - 91 (1)
3. Southern Illinois - 78
4. Northern Iowa - 68
5. Missouri State - 64
6. Loyola - 47
7. Bradley - 39
8. Drake - 33
9. Valparaiso - 17
10. Evansville - 14
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Track & Field teams, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter.