Toledo, OH - The two-time MAC Champion University of Toledo women's cross country team was voted by the conference coaches to finish fourth in the 2009 MAC Preseason Poll. The men's squad was selected to finish eighth.

The women's program seeks its fifth top-two finish in the MAC in the past nine years. A championship would give the Rockets three titles this decade, more than any other MAC program. 

"The women have a very realistic shot of finishing higher than our preseason pick," said Kevin Hadsell, director of the cross country and track programs. "It's nice that the coaches respect our program; however, the only ranking in our sport that really matters is the one that comes out at about 1 p.m. on Halloween after the MAC Championships are over."

All-MAC and All-Region selection in senior Renata Volf (Krizevci, Croatia) is one of the leading returners for the Rockets. Also back is senior Dagna Sztykiel (Bytum, Poland), who was an NCAA Regional Qualifier in the 3000m steeplechase, and junior Karen Sovacool (Lakewood, OH), who was the team's top finisher at last year's MAC Championships. The team, which finished sixth in the conference in 2008, did not lose anyone from last year's roster to graduation. 

The men look to best their highest-ever showing at the MAC meet, a sixth-place finish in 2003. Top returners include senior Kenneth Samoei (Kapsabet, Kenya) and juniors Elisha Kipchumba (Nairobi, Kenya) and Chris Wall (Centerville, OH). The Rockets improved over 150 points from 2007 to 2008 in the MAC Championships and won their first invitational, the Falcon Invitational, in over 20 years.

Both teams will start their season with a home dual meet, facing off against rival Bowling Green at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4 at the Ottawa Park Golf Course. The MAC Championships take place Saturday, Oct. 31 and are hosted by Ohio University. 

2009 Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll
1. Miami
2. Akron
3. Ohio
4. Toledo
5. Kent State
6. Central Michigan
7. Eastern Michigan
8. Bowling Green
9. Western Michigan
10. Buffalo
11. Ball State
12. Northern Illinois

Predicted Women's Cross Country Champion: Miami

2009 Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
1. Kent State
2. Miami
3. Central Michigan
4. Eastern Michigan
5. Buffalo
6. Ohio
7. Akron
8. Toledo
9. Bowling Green

Predicted Men's Cross Country Champion: Kent State

Contact: Scott Miles
scott.miles@utoledo.edu