Aug. 22, 2008

Pocatello, ID - The Idaho State men's and women's cross country teams were both picked to finish seventh this season in the Big Sky Conference Preseason Coaches Polls.

On the men's side, Idaho State finished with 35 points, 16 ahead of eighth-place Portland State. The ISU women received 30 points, just four back of sixth-place Sacramento State and three ahead of eighth-place Portland State.

Northern Arizona, the defending champions in both men's and women's, was tabbed by conference coaches to defend both titles this season. The men received seven first-place votes and 79 points, with second-place Weber State garnering the other two first-place votes and 73 points overall. On the women's side, NAU received eight first-place votes and 80 points. Weber picked up the other first-place vote and received 70 points.

The Idaho State men finished fourth in the conference last season, but lost five of their top seven runners from 2007. The other two, John Ricardi and Taylor Hansen, will redshirt this season.

"This will be a good chance for some of our freshman to come in and make an impact right away," head coach Brian Janssen said. "We'll be young, but hopefully as the season progresses we'll get stronger."

ISU's women tied for seventh in the Big Sky with Sacramento State last season, and the Bengals return the core of their lineup, including junior Gemma Maini (8th in the Big Sky) and sophomore Erica Wendt (23rd).

"The women could have a pretty good season," Janssen said. "We have a transfer and some talented freshman that will help the team immediately. By the end of the year, they could be up near the top."

Idaho State's first competition is a home meet Aug. 30, when the Bengals will square off against Utah Valley and Southern Utah.

Notes: Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team. A first-place vote was worth seven points, a second-place vote worth six points, etc.

2008 Preseason Men's Cross Country Poll
Rank	Team (1st-place votes)	    Points
1	Northern Arizona (7)		79
2	Weber State (2)			73
3	Montana State			63
4	Montana				47
5(tie)	Sacramento State		39
5(tie)	Eastern Washington		39
7	Idaho State			35
8	Portland State			19
9	Northern Colorado		11

2008 Preseason Women's Cross Country Poll
Rank	Team (1st-place votes)	    Points
1 	Northern Arizona (8)		80
2	Weber State (1)			70
3	Montana				65
4	Montana State 			48
5	Eastern Washington 		39
6	Sacramento State 		34
7	Idaho State 			30
8	Portland State 			27
9	Northern Colorado 		12