ST. LOUIS – The Indiana State men's and women's cross country teams have been tabbed to finish sixth and seventh at the Missouri Valley Conference Cross Country Championships, respectively, the Valley announced Friday morning. The MVC preseason poll is determined by a vote of the league's head cross country coaches.
 
The Sycamore men gathered 33 points in the poll and were picked to finish sixth in the Valley. Bradley collected six first place votes and are the favorite to win the championship with 78 points. Drake and Illinois State were picked to finish second and third with 70 (three first place votes) and 62 points (two first place votes), respectively. Loyola and Southern Illinois round out the top five with 57 points and 39 points. The Trees were chosen in front of Northern Iowa (30), Valparaiso (27) and Evansville (9).
 
On the women's side, ISU was tabbed to place finish seventh in the MVC after gathering 41 points in the preseason poll. Loyola is the conference favorite, gathering 99 points and nine first place votes while Bradley sits in second with 90 points and one first place vote. Illinois State (76), Drake (74), Northern Iowa (53) and Missouri State (46) sit in front of the Sycamores. The Blue & White were picked ahead of Southern Illinois (38), Valparaiso (21) and Evansville (12).
 
The Missouri Valley Conference Championships will be held on Friday, Oct. 29 in Normal, Ill., hosted by Illinois State.
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Cross Country and Track & Field teams, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter.