The Emporia State cross country teams will start the season with low expectations, at least according to the MIAA preseason coaches poll released Thursday.
The ESU women were picked seventh in the ranking, while the men were predicted to finish last.
Jonel Rossbach returns for the Hornet women after placing 17th at Nationals and earning All-American honors. Later in the year, she also became an All-American in indoor track and outdoor track.
Pittsburg State is the favorite on the women’s side with five first-place votes and 45 points. Missouri Southern was a close second (44 points).
Emporia High graduate Skyler Delmott is the top returner for the Hornet men, finishing 28th at Regionals last year.
He stepped into the top spot after an injury to Eric Wellman.
Missouri Southern, which returns four All-MIAA runners from last year, was the unanimous choice for first with 49 points.
2007 MIAA Men’s Cross Country Coaches Poll
1. Missouri Southern (7) 49
2. Central Missouri (1) 42
3. Fort Hays State 31
4. Pittsburg State 30
5. Southwest Baptist 29
6. Truman 20
7. Northwest Missouri State 18
8. Emporia State 7
2007 MIAA Women’s Cross Country Coaches Poll
1. Pittsburg State (5) 45
2. Missouri Southern (3) 44
3. Central Missouri 38
4. Southwest Baptist 30
5. Fort Hays State 20
6. Truman 18
7. Emporia State 17
8. Northwest Missouri State 14