Monday, February 20, 2017
Steve Rainbolt -- Wichita State Director of Track and Field
Wichita State men's and women's indoor track and field teams received first-place votes from all Valley schools in the pre-championship poll, with totals of 64 and 81 respectively.
On the men's side, the Shockers are looking to repeat as Indoor Conference Champions. Last season, the team claimed the title with a total of 141.5, edging out Southern Illinois by a mere nine points. Notable performers this season for the Shockers include seniors Ugis Jocis and Cody Schneck, junior Hunter Veith, and sophomore Ben Johnson.
Southern Illinois claimed the runner-up spot in the poll, ending with a total of 55. The Saluki's received seven second-place votes and one third-place vote from conference coaches, solidifying their spot as a threat to the Shockers this year. Southern will looking to a group of seasoned veterans to lead the way at the 2017 championships, including: Kyle Landon (Sr.), Jared Kern (Jr.), and Josh Maier (Jr.). Sophomore sprinter Warren Hazel is also expected to make an impact for the Salukis.
Northern Iowa finished third in the poll with 45 points. Along with four third-place votes, the Panthers also recieved one second-place rank. As usual, the host team is expected to submit strong marks at the championships. Sprinter Brandon Carnes is the returning men's Most Outstanding Track Athlete for indoor and has turned repeat notable performances in his senior campaign. He is expected to find top finishes on the track for the Panthers.
Illinois State took the fourth-place rank in the poll with a total of 38. The team placed fourth in the championships last February behind Indiana State. Redbirds junior mid-distance runner J.D. LaFayette is the returning MVC Elite 18 winner for indoor track and field. Freshmen Anthony McRoberts and Derrius Rodgers have also received MVC Athlete of the Week honors this season.
Indiana State placed fifth in the poll with 37 points. The team took third at the MVC Championships last year. The Sycamores will look to a strong group of upperclassmen to lead the way, including senior David Timlin, redshirt senior Marcus Neely, and junior Devin Mikell. Timlin is the reigning men's indoor Most Valuable Athlete after strong postings at the championship last year.
Bradley finished sixth in the poll with a total of 22. The Braves will be led by stand-out performer junior Haran Dunderdale, who is submitting record-breaking marks this season. Junior Michael Ward also turned in a third-place finish in the mile at the indoor championships last year.
Loyola took seventh with 15 points. Notable performers for the Ramblers include newcomer jumper Eric Burns, sophomore distance runner Kevin White, and senior sprinter Jaz Hayes.
Drake rounded out the poll in eighth with 12 points. Seniors Reed Fischer and Bas Van Leersum will look to top off strong careers at the championship.
On the women's side, the Shockers are looking for redemption, after claiming second at the 2016 indoor championships. Wichita State was bested by the Illinois State Redbirds by ten points in the final results. The team will look to seniors Nikki Larch-Miller, Taylor Larch-Miller, Jamesia Milton, Gavyn Yetter and Breanne Boreman to be major point-scorers this weekend.
Indiana State took second in the poll, finishing with 66 points, edging out the Redbirds of Illinois State by three points. Of the nine Valley teams, five ranked the Sycamores to the second-place spot. The team is led by sophomore Brooke Moore, who is turning in a record season for the Sycamores, as well as junior Jamie Newsome and senior Kaitlyn Moricz.
Illinois State, the reigning indoor conferences champions, took third in the poll with 63 points. The team also nabbed three second-place votes from conference coaches. Sophomore jumper and sprinter Amanda McClain has been an impact performer for the Redbirds this year and will look to help the team to a repeat title.
Southern Illinois landed the fourth place spot in the coaches poll with a total of 55. The Salukis received two third-place votes from conference coaches as well, keeping the competition tight for the team podium this year. In the field, seniors Freya Block and Cara Engel have turned in notable performances during the indoor season and are expected to standout in the conference championships. On the track, the team will look to junior Mystique Thompson and sophomore Tyjuana Eason to notch some points, as well.
Northern Iowa finished fifth with 50 points. Last February, the Panthers took third at the championships, edging out Indiana State for a podium spot by three points. Led by senior Lindsey Kite, the team will look to land a team award on their home track again this year.
Missouri State came in at sixth with a total of 35, receiving nearly all sixth-place votes from Valley coaches. Junior sprinter and multi-time MVC Track Athlete of the Week nominee Marissa Kurtimah leads the Bear's female-dominated track and field program.
Drake claimed seventh in the poll with 26. Juniors Rai Ahmed-Green, Taryn Rolle, and Mary Young have been consistent scorers for the Bulldogs this spring.
Loyola took eighth with 17 points. The Ramblers are led by notable junior-season performers Emma Hatch and Cassie Bioch.
Bradley placed ninth in the poll with a total of 12 points. The Braves bring a very balanced dynamic to the championships this year, will look to fill the distance void left by notable graduates Kristen and Caitlin Busch.
