CLEVELAND, Ohio - Expectations continue to rise for the Toledo cross country program following the release of the 2010 Preseason Coaches poll. The Rocket women were picked first in the MAC, while the men were tabbed to finish sixth, which would tie the program's best finish (sixth, 2003).

The Rocket women are looking to capture their first MAC title since 2002, as well as a bid to the NCAA Championships. For Toledo, recently ranked No. 6 in the Great Lakes Region preseason poll, winning the MAC appears an attainable goal as the Rockets return many of their best runners, including reigning MAC Champion Ari Fisher. Fisher, along with winning the MAC Championship in cross country last season, also won the MAC Indoor 5000-meter title in the spring, narrowly missing the meet record with a time of 16:38. She also ran one of the fastest times in MAC history in the Outdoor 5000-meter race with a time of 16:24. Fisher finished the 2009 season with an NCAA Championships bid, narrowly missing All-American status by less than one second and finishing 43rd. Other returning runners such as Audra Brown (25th at 2009 MACs), Devyn Ramsay (9th at 2009 MACs) and Lindsay Toussant (20th at 2009 MACs) look to help the Rockets secure their first MAC title in eight years.  

Miami was picked to finish in second place on the women's side after winning the title last season, while Central Michigan was tabbed to finish third. Ohio, Eastern Michigan and Kent State filled out the top six sports in this year's poll. Akron (seventh), Western Michigan (eighth), Bowling Green (ninth), Northern Illinois (10th), Ball State (11th) and Buffalo (12th) rounded out the women's poll.

The Rocket men continue to improve, rising two spots from last season's poll to No. 6. While a sixth-place finish would tie the best finish in program history, sights remain much higher for the Rockets. The men's team looks to challenge for a top-three spot at the MAC Championships and a Top-12 finish at the NCAA Regional.  With the influx of talent and the vast improvement of the returning runners, Coach Hadsell feels that his team is going to be the biggest surprise of the region. Even with the loss of one of their top runners, Chris Wall (33rd at 2009 MACs), the Rockets look to continue to improve behind returning runners Elisha Kipchumba (26th at 2009 MACs), Barnabas Kiprotich (45th at 2009 MACs) and a much-improved Jon DeWitt (36th at 2009 MACs), along with with one of the strongest recruiting classes in program history.

The Eastern Michigan Eagles, last year's MAC runner-up, were picked to win the MAC on the men's side, while 2009 MAC Champion Kent State was picked to finish second. The Golden Flashes were followed by Miami and Central Michigan, while Akron and Toledo rounded out the top six spots in the poll. Buffalo, Ohio and Bowling Green closed out the men's poll.

The 2010 Mid-American Conference Cross Country Championships, hosted by Western Michigan, will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2010.

2010 Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll

1.      TOLEDO
2.       Miami
3.       Central Michigan
4.       Ohio
5.       Eastern Michigan
6.       Kent State
7.       Akron
8.       Western Michigan
9.       Bowling Green
10.     Northern Illinois
11.     Ball State
12.     Buffalo

Predicted Women's Cross Country Champion: Toledo

2010 Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll

1.       Eastern Michigan
2.       Kent State
3.       Miami
4.       Central Michigan
5.       Akron
6.      TOLEDO
7.       Buffalo
8.       Ohio
9.       Bowling Green

Predicted Men's Cross Country Champion: Eastern Michigan