ST. LOUIS – The Indiana State Men's and Women's Cross Country teams have been tabbed to finish fourth at the Missouri Valley Conference Cross Country Championships, the Valley announced Tuesday morning. The MVC preseason polls are determined by a vote of the league's head cross country coaches.
 
"The MVC coaches picked both teams to finish right where we were last year," associate head coach for cross country Kyle Walsh said. "Fifth-year seniors Ryan Cash and Brooke Moore are returning for their final year of eligibility to lead our cross country teams to a great 2019 season. We are opening up our season at the Crusader Invitational so we will have the opportunity to preview the MVC Championship course. This will give us a chance to experience the course and be better prepared for the MVC Championship meet."
 
The ISU men gathered 54 points in the poll and were picked to place fourth overall. Bradley collected all nine first place votes and are the favorites to win the championship with 81 points. Drake and Illinois State were voted to finish second and third with 61 and 57 points, respectively. The Trees were picked in front of Loyola (46), Valparaiso (38), Northern Iowa (37), Southern Illinois (22) and Evansville (9).
 
"Our lone senior, Ryan Cash, is coming off an impressive runner-up finish in the steeplechase at the MVC Outdoor Championships. He Is looking to end his collegiate racing career by earning his first All-MVC cross country performance. Additionally, sophomore Cale Kilian and Noah Hufnagel are coming off of outstanding track seasons where they scored at the MVC Championships in the 1500 and 10,000-meter runs and are in contention for All-MVC cross country honors," Walsh said.
 
On the women's side, the blue and white were picked to finish fourth as well with 65 points, trailing Bradley, Illinois State and Loyola. Like the men, the Bradley women are the favorites to win the Valley, collecting eight first place votes and 98 total points. Illinois State is close behind, garnering two first place votes and 86 points, while Loyola sits in third with 84 points. The Sycamore women are picked in front of Missouri State (60), Northern Iowa (53), Southern Illinois (44), Drake (27), Valparaiso (20) and Evansville (13).
 
"Fifth-year senior, Brooke Moore, is coming off an outstanding track season, winning the indoor mile and outdoor 1500-meter run MVC titles," Walsh said. "She will look to better her runner-up performance at the MVC Cross Country meet. Her training partner, Jocelyn Quiles, is coming off All-MVC performances in the indoor mile and outdoor 1500-meter run and she hope to be a first time All-MVC cross country runner. Senior Alli Workman returned to honorable mention All-MVC last fall for the second time in three seasons and is set to finish her cross country career with her best season yet."
 
The MVC Cross Country Championships will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2 in Valparaiso, Ind. It will be the third time in league history that the MVC Cross Country Championships will be aired on The Valley on ESPN.  
 
"The Sycamore Cross Country team trained very diligently this summer and we have set high expectations to be better than our preseason team rankings and we are ready to start the 2019 season in two weeks," Walsh said.
 
Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll:
1. Bradley - 81 (9)
2. Drake - 61
3. Illinois State - 57
4. Indiana State - 54
5. Loyola - 46
6. Valparaiso - 38
7. Northern Iowa - 37
8. Southern Illinois - 22
9. Evansville - 9
 
Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll:
1. Bradley - 98 (8)
2. Illinois State - 86 (2)
3. Loyola - 84
4. Indiana State - 65
5. Missouri State - 60
6. Northern Iowa - 53
7. Southern Illinois - 44
8. Drake - 27
9. Valparaiso - 20
10. Evansville - 13
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Cross Country and Track & Field teams, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter.