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. 

Two-time MVC champion and All-American Jeff Schirmer returns for his senior campaign to anchor a Southern Illinois squad that will hit the course with six of its seven top runners from a season ago.  Junior Dan Dunbar (fifth in 2008), senior Jason Ordway (eighth in 2008) and junior Kyle Kirchner (ninth in 2008) add depth and leadership to help pave the way for the Salukis this fall.

The veteran Saluki squad received eight of nine first-place votes and 79 total points.

Indiana State, last season's runner-up, checks in at the No. 2 position in the preseason poll with 71 points and the remaining first-place vote.  The Sycamores welcome back five of their seven of their top runners from 2008, including three all-MVC runners in senior Scott Keeney, junior Michael Disher and senior Eric Schulz, who earned third, fourth and sixth, respectively, at last year's championship. 

Illinois State notched the third spot in the preseason poll, securing 66 points.  The Redbirds return six of their top-seven runners to lead the way on the trails.  Junior Matt Mroczynski, second in 2008, emerges as the top competitor at Illinois State, and provides veteran leadership alongside senior Scott Krapf, who finished seventh a season ago.  Sophomore Rich Eber and junior Jon Roberts, who each added top-20 finishes in 2008, add depth to the Redbirds' roster.

Wichita State sits at the fourth position in the preseason poll with 46 points after a fourth-place finish at the 2008 MVC championship.  The Shockers lose their top runner in Scott Reed, 10th at last year's championship, but return two juniors and three sophomores from their top-seven contingent a season ago.  Sophomore Trace Kendrick and junior Marius Sava return as the Shockers top runners.

Drake tallied 42 points and the fifth spot in the preseason poll, returning six of its top-seven runners from last season.  Senior Andrew Haigh, the Bulldogs top finisher (19th) in 2008 will garner support from sophomore Colin Hagan, 26th a season ago, and fellow senior Zach Henry-Bales.

UNI is picked sixth with 41 points, while Bradley took the seventh spot with 26 points.  The Panthers welcome back five runners who competed in last season's championship, while Bradley returns four of its top runners from 2008, with junior Brian Tyne as the Braves top runner.

Evansville (19 points) and Creighton (15) round out the eighth and ninth positions in the preseason poll.

Evansville returns six participants from last season's championship meet, losing top runner Greg Pulscher to graduation, while Creighton returns just six of its seven top runners 2008, as the Jays will be under the direction of new head coach Chas Davis. 

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.

Illinois State was a solid second choice in the preseason poll, earning 86 total points and the final three first-place votes.  The Redbirds welcome back their top-seven runners from their 2008 third-place team, including all-MVC runner junior Michelle Brunk, who will lead the charge for Illinois State this season.  Sophomore Aisha Praught and juniors Olivia Myers and Jess Husted, who each added top-20 finished in 2008, add depth to the Redbirds' roster.

Missouri State takes the third position in the preseason coaches' pool, tallying 69 points, returning four of its top-seven competitors from a 2008 runner-up squad.  The Bears will look to fill the void of their top-two runners from a season ago, in Pasca Cheruiyot, the reigning Athlete of the Year, and Jamie Vest, who finished fourth in 2008.  Missouri State sophomore all-MVC runner Terry Phillips returns to lead the Bears on the trails, while senior Staci Nelson provides veteran experience.
 
Southern Illinois brings back all seven of its top runners, tallying 75 points for a fourth-place pick in the preseason coaches' poll.  Junior Megan Hoelscher returns as the Salukis' top finisher from 2008 (12th) and also welcome back three other top-20 finishers in Emily Toennies (17th), A'Seret Dokubo (18th) and Jamie Pfister (20th). 

UNI tallied 53 points and the fifth spot, as the Panthers welcome back five of its top six runners, including all-Valley performer Danielle Nowasell, who turned in a sixth-place performance at the 2008 championship.  Sophomore Carly Olsen and senior Andrea Wacker also return as top members of the Panther supporting cast.

Indiana State and Bradley notched the sixth and seventh positions in the preseason poll, tallying 48 and 47 points, respectively.

Indiana State returns six of seven competitors from last season's conference entry, led by sophomore Kacie Klem, who was 13th at the 2008 MVC championship.  Senior Kayla Alexander, 19th a season ago, will provide veteran leadership along the trails for Indiana State.

Bradley returns all six of its top runners from 2008, with senior Katie Nowak and junior Mary Goldkamp emerging in the Braves' top positions entering the season. 

Drake earned eighth in the preseason poll with 38 points, while Creighton (16) and Evansville (15) round out the final positions.

Drake welcomes back four of its top seven competitors, including junior Casey McDermott, the Bulldogs top finisher (28th) from last season's squad.  Nine freshmen and sophomores dot the Bulldog lineup for 2008.

Creighton welcomes back 11 of 12 runners who competed last season, with senior Molly Jergenson returning as the Jays top runner, while Evansville returns six participants from last season's MVC championship, led by seniors Arrena Svoboda and Courtney Heller.