KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Rogers State women's cross country was tabbed to finish fifth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, with the men picked to finish ninth, the league announced on Friday.
After finishing fifth at the MIAA Championships and 10th at the Regional Championships last season, the Hillcat women were picked to finish fifth with one first place vote and 97 total points. RSU was one of five teams to receive a first place vote in the poll. This is also their highest predicted finish since joining the league in 2019.
Both Defending MIAA Champions Nebraska-Kearney (five first place votes, 125 points) and Central Missouri (two first place votes, 125) tied for the top spot in the poll. Pittsburg State was predicted to finish third with two first place votes and 121 points, while Northwest Missouri was tabbed to finish fourth with three first place votes and 120 points. RSU rounded out the top 5.
Fort Hays State (94 points), Missouri Southern (87 points), Washburn (66 points), Missouri Western (59 points) and Emporia State (41 points) closed out the top 10. Central Oklahoma (37 points), Lincoln (26 points) and Newman (18 points) rounded out the poll.
On the men's side, the Hillcats were picked ninth in the poll with 31 total points after finishing ninth at the MIAA Championships last season. This ties their best predicted finish since joining the league in 2019.
Defending MIAA Champions Missouri Southern was tabbed to repeat with seven first place votes and 97 points. Pittsburg State was picked second with two first place votes and 84 points, while Nebraska-Kearney was picked third with the final first place vote and 82 points. Northwest Missouri (76 points) and Central Missouri (66 points) rounded out the top 5.
Fort Hays State (50 points), Washburn (47 points), Emporia State (38 points), RSU and Missouri Western (23 points) closed out the top 10. Newman rounded out the poll with 11 points.
The Hillcats will open the 2022 season as they host the first-ever RSU Invitational on Thursday, September 1 at Mohawk Sports Park in Tulsa, Okla. The MIAA Championships are slated for Oct. 23 in Jefferson City, Mo.
