KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Rogers State women's track and field was picked to finish ninth with the men picked to finish 10th in the MIAA Outdoor Track and Field Preseason Poll, the league announced on Friday.
 
The Hillcat women were tabbed to finish ninth by the league's coaches with 21 points.
 
Defending champions Pittsburg State were selected to repeat atop the league's standings with 10 first place votes and 100 points. Northwest Missouri (one first place vote, 91 points), Washburn (82 points), Missouri Southern (73 points) and Central Missouri (58 points) round out the top five. Fort Hays State (52 points), Nebraska Kearney (52 points), Missouri Western (36 points), RSU and Central Oklahoma (20 points) closed out the top 10. Emporia State (19 points) was also featured in the poll.
 
On the men's side, the Hillcats were picked to finish 10th by the league's coaches with 12 points.
 
Pittsburg State's men were also tabbed to defend their conference championship with nine first place votes and 81 points. Northwest Missouri (one first place vote, 72 points), Washburn (64 points), Missouri Southern (59 points) and Emporia State (46 points) rounded out the top five. Central Missouri (40 points), Fort Hays State (34 points), Nebraska Kearney (28 points), Missouri Western (14 points) and RSU closed out the poll.
 
The Hillcats open the outdoor season later today as they will split the squad and travel down the road to Tulsa, Okla. for the ORU Invitational and to Shawnee, Okla. for the OBU Invitational.