FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State women’s cross country team has been ranked in the 2016 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released Thursday (Aug. 25) by the conference office.
The Tigers were listed atop four ballots, tied for the most first-place votes, earning 108 total points. Missouri Southern was picked to finish first in the league, also earning four first-place votes en route to 111 total points. Defending conference champion Southwest Baptist was picked to finish third, receiving three first-place selections, with Pittsburg State rounding out the top four and garnering the final top vote. The top four teams in the poll are separated by just 10 points.
After finishing fourth at the MIAA Championships in 2014, the Tigers earned a spot in the top-three in 2015, the highest finish in program history. Head coach Jason McCullough thinks this year’s team has a chance to climb in the standings once again, saying one of the team’s goals this season is to be one of the top two teams in the league.
This year’s team certainly has the credentials to attain that goal with four All-MIAA performers returning from a year ago. Included in that pack are junior Shea Bonine, senior Micki Krzesinski, junior Chelsea Jackson and sophomore Sophie Dalmasso, who all finished in the top-five for FHSU in each meet last season. Bonine added All-Region honors a year ago, finishing 25th at the Central Region Championships. Both Krzesinski and Jackson took home All-Conference honors for the second time after finishing in the top-20 at the league meet in 2014.
Also returning this season will be junior Amanda Morgan, sophomore Yessenia Gonzales and junior Keanu Bradley, who all finished in the top-seven for the Tigers at multiple meets last year.
The Tigers are set to host the 30th Annual FHSU Alumni Run on Saturday, August 27 at the Sand Plum Nature Trail in Victoria, Kan. The race will begin at 9:30 a.m.
Intercollegiate competition will begin a week later when FHSU sends runners to the Border Classic in Johnson City, Kan. and the Trojan Invitational in Colby, Kan. on Friday, September 2. The gun will go off in both races at 6 p.m.
Fort Hays State will host a pair of meets in 2016 at the Sand Plum Nature Trail, beginning with the Sand Plum Invite on Thursday, September 15 at 6 p.m. The regular season comes to a close with the FHSU Tiger Open on Saturday, October 8 beginning at 8:40 a.m.
2016 MIAA Preseason Women’s Coaches Poll
1. Missouri Southern (4) – 111
2. Fort Hays State (4) – 108
3. Southwest Baptist (3) – 104
4. Pittsburg State (1) – 101
5. Nebraska-Kearney – 89
6. Northwest Missouri – 62
7. Central Oklahoma – 59
8. Central Missouri – 55
9. Lindenwood – 46
10. Emporia State – 32
11. Washburn – 17
12. Lincoln – 16