Men and Women Picked to Finish Fourth in The Summit League’s Indoor Preseason Poll

(Kansas City, Mo.) - Thursday afternoon, The Summit League announced its 2012-13 Indoor Track & Field Preseason Poll, with Kansas City tabbed to finish fourth on both the men's (12 points) and women's side (29 points).

In the men's poll, North Dakota State tallied 24 points and four first-places votes as the league favorite.  Only one point separated South Dakota and South Dakota State in second and third.  The Coyotes finished second with 20 points and one first-place vote, while the Jackrabbits came in third with 19 points and the final first-place tally.  Behind the Kangaroos to round out the men's poll were Western Illinois (nine points) and Oakland (six points).    

After finishing sixth last season, the Kansas City men top returnees include seniors Cosmas Ayabei, Josh Butler, Max Carroll, Ramon Nelson, D.C. Okonta and Dontay Taylor, along with junior Kris Leverette.

Meanwhile, the Bison finished atop the women's poll as well with 49 points and seven first-place votes, while the Coyotes took second with 43 points and the final first-place vote.  The Jackrabbits collected 37 points in third, followed by the Kangaroos and Western Illinois with 21 points in fifth.  Rounding out the women's side were Oakland (19 points), league newcomer Omaha (16 points) and Fort Wayne (10 points).

As for the Kansas City women, it will look to build off its fifth place finish last season. Top returning performers for the Kangaroos include seniors Stephany Johnson, Jylian Jaloma, and Kimoya Harriott, juniors Veronica Rollins, Chelsea Richardson, Michelle Momo and Viola Kleiser, and sophomores Briana Carter and Courtney Frerichs.

Next week, the Blue & Gold will open its 2012-13 campaign at Kansas with the Bob Timmons Challenge on Thursday, Dec. 6 (3 p.m.).    

 

2012-13 Summit League Men's Indoor Track & Field Preseason Poll
Place	Team	Points (1st)	2011-12 Finish
1.	North Dakota State	24 (4)	3rd
2.	South Dakota	20 (1)	4th
3.	South Dakota State	19 (1)	5th
4.	Kansas City	12	6th
5.	Western Illinois	9	7th
6.	Oakland	6	8th

2012-13 Summit League Women's Indoor Track & Field Preseason Poll
Place	Team	Points (1st)	2011-12 Finish
1.	North Dakota State	49 (7)	1st
2.	South Dakota	43 (1)	2nd
3.	South Dakota State	37	4th
4.	Kansas City	29	5th
5.	Western Illinois	21	7th
6.	Oakland	19	8th
7.	Omaha	16	---
8.	Fort Wayne	10	9th