Outdoor MIAA Preseason Poll has FHSU tabbed 6th for men; 10th for women

The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association released its 2015 Outdoor Track and Field Preseason Coaches Poll on Thursday (Mar. 26). Fort Hays State’s men were selected sixth, while the women were picked 10th. Outdoor season begins this week for FHSU as it hosts its annual home meet, the Alex Francis Classic on Friday and Saturday (Mar. 27-28).

The FHSU men received 30 voting points in the poll, tying Lincoln University for the sixth spot. Pittsburg State received all first-place votes from the coaches, topping the list with 81 points. Central Missouri received a first-place vote from PSU since coaches cannot list their own team in the poll they fill out. The Mules are picked second in the conference at 73 points. Missouri Southern, Nebraska-Kearney, and Emporia State round out the top five.

Brady Tien was the only individual selected to compete in the NCAA Championships last outdoor season. He was just two places shy of earning All-America status in the outdoor pole vault last year, but he did grab All-America status during last year’s indoor season. Cory Keehn (distance) qualified for two events at indoor nationals this year and looks for a good outdoor season to cap his successful collegiate career on the track.

On the women’s side, FHSU received 23 points to hold the No. 10 slot out of 11. Central Missouri received all but one possible first-place vote with 99 points. Lincoln received two first-place votes and was selected second at 91 points. The UCM women are coming off a national championship as a team for the 2015 indoor season, but Lincoln is the defending outdoor national champion from 2014.

FHSU returns one of two individuals that were selected to compete at the NCAA Outdoor Championships last year in sophomore Madison Wolf. She burst on the collegiate scene last year to finish sixth nationally as a true freshman. She was the MIAA Champion in the event last year.