Men Third, Women Fourth in MW Preseason Poll
8/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Aug. 18, 2016
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Air Force men's cross country team was picked to finish third out of eight teams in the Mountain West, the league office announced this afternoon (Aug. 18) with the release of its annual preseason coaches' poll. The women were also chosen to finish within the top half of the conference, as they were selected fourth out of 11 teams.
Air Force, which won the men's title last season, returns a pair of all-conference cross country runners in senior All-American Kyle Eller and classmate Matt Dorsey. The women return four of the five runners that helped the Falcons to their best conference finish ever (third) at the 2015 championship meet.
The men collected 40 points and two first-place votes from the coaches to rank third in the preseason poll. Only six points separated the top three teams, as Colorado State earned the top spot with 46 points (five first-place votes) and Boise State was picked second with 43 points and one first-place vote. New Mexico was selected fourth with 31 points, while Wyoming (23) and Utah State (19) were chosen fifth and sixth, respectively. San Jose State tallied 12 points to rank seventh, while Fresno State rounded out the field in eighth (10).
On the women's side, the Falcons garnered 67 points to earn a #4 spot in the poll. New Mexico, winner of the last eight MW meets and the 2015 NCAA title, was picked to defend its conference crown in 2016, earning 99 points and nine first-place votes. Boise State, which earned the two remaining first-place vote, placed second with 92 points. Colorado State was selected third with 79 points, while Air Force (67) and Wyoming (63) rounded out the top five. Utah State (56) and Nevada (53) were picked sixth and seventh, respectively, while San Jose State (30), Fresno State (27), San Diego State (20) and UNLV (19) rounded out the preseason rankings.
The 2016 Mountain West Championships will take place on Friday, Oct. 28, in Kuna, Idaho.
Players Mentioned
