INDIANAPOLIS – Walsh topped the field in a new release of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Men’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll presented by Under Armour on Thursday.
Three teams received at least one first-place vote as student-athletes prepare for their fall season with events typically ranging in 5K, 8K or 10K distances.
The Cavaliers of Walsh, guided by head coach Rob Mizicko, received seven first-place votes by the coaches in the balloting for a total of 112 points.
The preseason favorite has made back-to-back trips to nationals as a team, finishing 18th in 2018 and 22nd in 2017, its first year as a conference member.
Twelve programs from the league were ranked in this year’s preseason coaches poll as the road to nationals starts through Ursuline as host of this year conference championship.
The postseason continues with the increased distance of 10K for the NCAA Midwest Regional returning back to Evansville, Ind. Teams and/or individuals will then hope to qualify for the NCAA Championships held on Nov. 23 in Sacramento, Calif.
Ursuline will be hosting this year’s conference meet at the Laurel School-Butler campus on Saturday, Oct. 26.
Malone, last year’s conference team champion, finished as the preseason runner-up in the voting as the Pioneers collected four first-place votes. MU had broken through in North Canton following a string of repeat second-place performances in 2016 and 2017.
Malone was a very close second in the preseason voting, just five points behind its rival Walsh, with 112 points from the coaches.
Cedarville was not far behind with the No. 3 ranking and the other first-place vote for 99 points. The Yellow Jackets have traditionally showcased their team depth as one of the league’s perennial contenders.
The top five was rounded out by Hillsdale in fourth and Findlay in fifth. Tiffin and Trevecca Nazarene were projected sixth and seventh while Kentucky Wesleyan, Ohio Valley and Ohio Dominican, were viewed in the top 10. Alderson Broaddus and Lake Erie rounded out this year’s preseason coaches poll, respectively.
Great Midwest Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll presented by Under Armour
| School |
Points |
| 1. Walsh (7 first-place votes) |
117 |
| 2. Malone (4 first-place votes) |
112 |
| 3. Cedarville (1 first-place vote) |
99 |
| 4. Hillsdale |
96 |
| 5. Findlay |
81 |
| 6. Tiffin |
62 |
| 7. Trevecca Nazarene |
56 |
| 8. Kentucky Wesleyan |
46 |
| 9. Ohio Valley |
41 |
| 10. Ohio Dominican |
25 |
| 11. Alderson Broaddus |
29 |
| 12. Lake Erie |
16 |