ST. LOUIS – UNI men's track and field was picked to finish first in the Missouri Valley Conference Pre-Championship Coaches Poll released by the conference Wednesday.
UNI picked up 77 points in the poll, including seven first-place votes to claim the top spot, just ahead of Illinois State who was picked to finish second with 75 total points and three first-place votes.
The Panthers enter the weekend with the top spot in three events and are ranked second in six events in the current standings, led by Darius King who is ranked first in the shot put and 12th in the NCAA with a season-best school-record throw of 19.