The Missouri Valley Conference released its pre-championship poll Tuesday for the upcoming State Farm MVC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, and the University of Northern Iowa men and women have been picked fourth and sixth, respectively. The rankings are the result of a poll of the league's head coaches.
The Panther men finished fourth with 31 points. Wichita State led the poll with 49 points and all seven first-place votes. Defending champion Indiana State came in second with 40 points, and Southern Illinois was third with 34. Illinois State (19), Drake (16) and Bradley (7) round out the poll.
The UNI men own 21 performances that rank in the league's top five this year, including Valley leaders Jarred Herring (100m), Aaron Stockstell (800m), Justin Romero (shot put), Jordan Williams (discus), Daniel Gooris (decathlon) and the 4x100m relay.
On the women's side, UNI earned 23 points to come in sixth. Wichita State received 60 points and five of the eight first-place votes to top the poll. Illinois State was second with 54 points, and Southern Illinois and Missouri State tied for third with 44 points apiece. Indiana State was fifth with 37 points, followed by UNI (23), Drake (17), and Bradley (9).
The UNI women have 13 performances that are currently in the MVC's top five.
The State Farm MVC Outdoor Championships will take place in Wichita, Kan., on May 11-13.
2012 Men's Outdoor Track & Field Pre-Championship Poll
Rank Team (1st-place votes) Points
1. Wichita State (7) 49
2. Indiana State 40
3. Southern Illinois 34
4. UNI 31
5. Illinois State 19
6. Drake 16
7. Bradley 7
2012 Women's Outdoor Track & Field Pre-Championship Poll
Rank Team (1st-place votes) Points
1. Wichita State (5) 60
2. Illinois State (2) 54
T3. Southern Illinois (1) 44
T3. Missouri State 44
5. Indiana State 37
6. UNI 23
7. Drake 17
8. Bradley 9
