ST. LOUIS – The Illinois State men's and women's cross country programs were each selected to finish third in the annual Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, as announced by the conference on Friday morning.
In the men's poll, Bradley was picked to finish first among the league's nine programs, garnering 78 points, including six first-place votes. On the women's side, Loyola was selected to take home the championship with nine first-place votes and 99 total points
The Redbird men, who captured the MVC Cross Country team title less than a year ago, will look to defend their championship on their home course.