UNI cross country: MVC announces 2024 preseason poll

ST. LOUIS --- The Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) announced on Thursday the results of its annual preseason coaches poll ahead of the start of the 2024 season next week.

The UNI women's team were tabbed to finish seventh out of 12 teams this year, while the Panthers came in ninth in the men's pole. Bradley was selected as a narrow favorite over Belmont to win the women's team title, while Drake was picked first on the men's side. The full results of the preseason poll can be found below.

On the women's side, Northern Iowa returns eight athletes from its 2023 roster that finished eighth at last year's MVC Championships in Nashville. Key returners include a trio of seniors in Kate Crawford, Emma Hoins and Lauren Kleins, along with returning sophomores Makenna Edwards, Eden Mueller, Brooke O'Brien, Kaylee Woolery and Kayla Young. The Panthers add track and field distance runner Amelia Hill, as well as freshmen Leah Klapatasukas and Meghan Wheatley, as well as Green Bay senior transfer Melody Ochana.

The Panther men return 11 from last season's tenth-place performance at the MVC Championships with seniors Brady Griebel and Caleb Shumaker leading the way. Other key returners for the UNI men include Drew Dombrosky, Kon Dut, Josh Gormley, Drake Hanson, Levi Hill, Caleb Kass, Chase Lauman, Colin Lillie and Carson Owens. The Panthers add four new freshmen in 2024 in Charlie Bennett, Jack Bergman, Brayden Picken and Micah Rees.

UNI will open the 2024 season next Friday, Aug. 30 at the Cyclone Preview in Ames.

2024 WOMEN'S MVC PRESEASON POLL (Points) [First-Place Votes]

Bradley (18) [6]
Belmont (19) [6]
Illinois State (41)
Drake (46)
Missouri State (67)
Indiana State (74)
UNI (83)
Southern Illinois (89)
UIC (110)
Murray State (115)
Valparaiso (134)
Evansville (137)

2024 MEN'S MVC PRESEASON POLL (Points) [First-Place Votes]

Drake (15) [7]
Bradley (24) [2]
Belmont (29) [2]
Illinois State (44)
Indiana State (56)
Southern Illinois (72)
UIC (80)
Valparaiso (86)
UNI (96)
Murray State (106)
Evansville (118)

UNI cross country action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Track and Field), X (@UNITrackFieldXC) and on Instagram (@uni_tf_xc). The full 2024 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.

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