Shocker Women are the MVC Cross Country Favorites

[MVCSports]

ST. LOUIS - The Southern Illinois men and Wichita State women have been tabbed as the 2009 favorites by a vote of Missouri Valley Conference cross country coaches in their annual preseason poll.

The Saluki men are looking to earn their league-best 13th title in school history, while the Shockers hope to take home their fifth-straight and 10th overall championship in program history.

The Wichita State women swiped the top position (96 points, seven first-place votes) in the preseason coaches' poll after welcoming back four runners from last season's MVC championship squad. The Shockers lose standouts Kellyn Johnson and Kimber Lemon, but return senior Irene Kosgei, a third-place finisher in 2008, who will lead the way on the trails for Wichita State this season.

http://www.mvc-sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=7600&ATCLID=204781261

[1972Shocker]

Looks like the men are competing in 3 pods. The top 3, middle 3 and bottom 3. Pretty good gaps between each pod.

The Shocker men at #4 lead the middle pod but by very small margins. Hopeully, they can hold on for a 4th place finish in the actual competition. Moving higher would be a big upset this year.

The women's teams seem to follow a much more gradual scale from top to bottom. Shocks have lost two very good runners in Kellyn and Kimber, but are still well respected. Hopefully, 'bolt has the Ladies team ready to re-load.

:goshocks:

[1972Shocker]

Nice article by Sully about the Women's CC team in today's Eagle:

http://www.kansas.com/sports/shockers/story/955429.html

Four consecutive MVC Titles and favored to add "One For the Thumb" this year deserves some pub.

:goshocks:

[goshox74]

Shockers head to Nebraska this weekend for their 2nd meet of the season. Looking to build on their solid season opener at home 2 weeks ago. Not sure this will show too much since its so early in the season, I would imagine the meets in October in Chicago and Arkansas will give us an idea if the women can go 5 in a row and if the men will continue to creep up the MVC standings into the top 3. Go Shox!

[goshox74]

Nebraska results:

http://www.goshockers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=7500&ATCLID=204797689

Looks like the women ran very well again, congrats to them! Only losing to a very good Nebraska team.

Looks like the guys struggled a bit except for Sava, who continues to be a great #1 guy, need some of the other guys to step it up in the next few weeks.

[goshox74]

Another very good showing for the Lady Shockers in Chicago this weekend - winning the 50 team meet - and another so-so effort by the guys. This women's team doesn't have any big stars but might be a better team than the ones led by Kellyn Johnson, Mica Land, Desiraye Osburn, etc. of the past. Hoping that the guys can pull it together for MVC at the end of the month for an upper division finish.

Next meet in 2 weeks at Arkansas, last meet before MVC.