Kansas City, Mo. – The Missouri Southern men’s track and field team has been picked to repeat as MIAA Champions in the preseason MIAA Coaches Poll as was announced by the league office today.
The Lions took home the MIAA Championship in 2020 and had qualified a record-number of student-athletes to the NCAA Division II Championships before Covid cut the season short.
Southern returns 13 All-MIAA performances from a season ago. Among the returners are Josh Fulmer (1st – weight throw), Josh Norville (1st – long jump), Desmond Hall (2nd – 60m hurdles), Gabe McClain (2nd – 800m), Ryan Riddle (1st – mile, 3rd – 3k), Gidieon Kimutai (3rd – mile, 1st – 3k, 2nd – 5k), as well as the 3rd place distance medley relay team of Kevin Koester, McClain, Elliot Rule and Riddle.
The Lions picked up eight of the ten possible first-place votes and 96 points to be picked to repeat as league champs. Pittsburg State had a first-place vote and 90 points and was second, followed by Northwest Missouri, Central Missouri, Lincoln, Nebraska-Kearney, Emporia State, Fort Hays State, Washburn, Missouri Western and Rogers State to round out the poll. Northwest Missouri and Central Missouri picked up a single first-place vote each.
Southern will be back in action tomorrow as the Lions will be at the Central Missouri Invite inside the Multipurpose building in Warrensburg. A live results link can be found above in the story links. Action starts tomorrow at 2:30 with the field events. Track events begin at 6 pm.
2021 MIAA Men’s Indoor Track and Field Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. Missouri Southern (8) – 96 points
2. Pittsburg State (1) – 90 points
3. Northwest Missouri (1) – 82 points
4. Central Missouri (1) – 72 points
5. Lincoln – 68 points
6. Nebraska-Kearney – 48 points
7. Emporia State – 44 points
8. Fort Hays State – 42 points
9. Washburn – 33 points
10. Missouri Western – 20 points
11. Rogers State – 10 points
(first place votes)
Coaches Are Not Allowed To Vote For Their Own Team