May 15, 2008

UNI Notes | MVC Championships Home | Host's Championships Page

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The University of Northern Iowa has been picked to sweep both the men's and women's Missouri Valley Conference's outdoor track and field championships, according to a poll of league coaches released Thursday by the conference.

 

The Panther men are a unanimous choice to claim their second-consecutive title at this weekend's State Farm MVC Outdoor Championships, while the UNI women's team received seven of the eight possible first-place votes and are tabbed to take home their first-ever Valley outdoor crown.

 

Claiming both the men's and women's outdoor championships would give UNI a sweep of the league's team titles for the 2008 season, as the Panthers swept both Valley indoor crowns in March.

 

The UNI men's team enters the championships seeking its third outdoor title in four years. If the Panthers are able to defend their team championship from 2007, it would mark the fourth time since 2000 that UNI has swept both the men's indoor and outdoor crowns (2000, 2005, 2007).

 

Between its women's and men's teams, UNI will bring 21 All-MVC athletes from the 2007 outdoor championships back to this year's meet. Those athletes earned a combined 33 all-conference honors last season, including 13 MVC championships.

 

That group also includes the defending MVC Most Valuable Women's Athlete and Outstanding Women's Field Athlete (senior Rachel Jansen), as well as the defending MVC Outstanding Men's Track Athletes (senior Terrance Reid and sophomore Cory Goos).

 

The 2008 State Farm MVC Outdoor Championships begin at noon Friday (May 16) at McAndrew Stadium in Carbondale, Ill., with competition in the men's decathlon and women's pentathlon and women's hammer throw. The three-day event continues Saturday and Sunday, with full coverage available at www.mvc-sports.com.

 

Women's Pre-Championship Poll

School                    Total votes (First-place)

UNI                                     62 (7)

Indiana State                       50 (1)

Southern Illinois                   50

Wichita State                      42

Missouri State                     35

Illinois State                        25

Drake                                  16

Bradley                               8

 

 

Men's Pre-Championship Poll

School                    Total votes (First-place)

UNI                                     36 (6)

Indiana State                       27

Wichita State                      26

Southern Illinois                   19

Illinois State                        11

Drake                                  7