Northwest Missouri State University men’s and women’s cross country teams begin the season ranked in the top 10 of the United States Track and Field Coaches and Cross Country Association preseason poll as announced by the organization today.

Head Coach Scott Lorek’s men’s team will open the season at No. 7 after a sixth place finish in 2010. East Central (Okla.) holds the top spot as last year’s regional champion, Central Missouri checks in at No. 2. Cameron sits at No. 3, followed by Eastern New Mexico at No. 4 and Harding stands at No. 5.  Harding enters the South Central Region as a member of the Great American Conference, which is in its first year of existence.

Missouri Southern checks in at No. 6 while Pittsburg State follows the Bearcats at No. 8. Southwest Baptist and perennial powerhouse Abilene Christian rounds out the final two spots.

The Northwest women’s team will start the season one spot behind where they finished last year at No. 6. Midwestern State holds the top spot while MIAA Champion- Missouri Southern follows the Mustangs at No. 2. Truman State is No. 3 with Harding at No. 4, and Pittsburg State rounds out the top five.

Both the men and women will kick off their seasons Sept. 9 on their home course, Mozingo Lake, at the Northwest Bearcat Open.

— NWMSU Sports Information —