ST. LOUIS – The Indiana State men's and women's track & field teams have both been picked to place third at the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships this weekend according to the MVC Pre-Championship Poll released on Wednesday afternoon.
 
On the men's side, Northern Iowa was chosen to finish first with 77 total points and seven first-place votes. Illinois State was voted second with 75 points and three first-place votes, while the Blue & White were tabbed third with 62 total points. The Sycamores were picked ahead of Southern Illinois (51), Loyola (44), Bradley (32), Drake (32), Valparaiso (24) and Evansville (10).
 
JaVaughn Moore's time of 6.78 in the 60-meter dash places him in first on the MVC leaderboard. Matthew Lewis-Banks time of 7.92 in the 60-meter hurdles ranks him first in the Valley and 53rd nationally. On the field, Nick Schultz (high jump), Emmanuel Odubanjo (triple jump) and Bryan Keubeng (long jump) rank fourth in the Valley for their respective events.
 
The Illinois State women were the unanimous vote to win the MVC crown, tallying all 10 first-place votes and 100 total points. Southern Illinois was selected second with 85 points while the Sycamores took the third position with 80 points. ISU was chosen ahead of Northern Iowa (75), Loyola (58), Missouri State (52), Drake (36), Bradley (30), Evansville (19) and Valparaiso (15).
 
On the track, Allana Ince holds the number one spot in the Valley for the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.46 alongside teammate Tajaa Fair who is ranked 4th in the Valley in this same event. The Sycamores 4x400-meter relay squad, including Iyanla Hunter, Rebecca Odusola, Jezel Martin and Imani Davis rank third in the Valley after placing second at the John Gartland Invitational earlier this season. On the field, Kelsey Bowlds ranks second in the Valley and 75th nationally in the high jump with a mark of 1.73m (5-08.00).
 
The MVC Indoor Track & Field Championships begin on Saturday, Feb. 29 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
 
Men's Pre-Championship Poll
1. Northern Iowa - 77 (7)
2. Illinois State - 75 (3)
3. Indiana State - 62
4. Southern Illinois - 51
5. Loyola - 44
6. Bradley - 32
6. Drake -32
8. Valparaiso - 24
9. Evansville - 10
 
Women's Pre-Championship Poll
1. Illinois State - 100 (10)
2. Southern Illinois - 85
3. Indiana State - 80
4. Northern Iowa - 75
5. Loyola - 58
6. Missouri State - 52
7. Drake - 36
8. Bradley - 30
9. Evansville - 19
10. Valparaiso - 15
 
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.