Aug. 19, 2008

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For the 11^th straight poll, Malone (Ohio) men’s cross country holds to No. 1, this time in the 2008 NAIA Men’s Cross Country Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll, announced today (Aug. 19). The Pioneers were the top team in the NAIA in all 10 polls during the 2007 season. In this poll, Malone recorded 405 total points and all 15 first-place votes. MC captured its second national championship title last season in Kenosha, Wis., behind the strength of three Top 10 finishers.

Finishing behind Malone in the 2007 Championship was Black Hills State (S.D.), the same position in this poll at No. 2. Azusa Pacific (Calif.) is tied at No. 3 and expects back senior Aron Rono, the 2007 individual Championship holder. Embry-Riddle (Fla.) is tied with Azusa while Concordia (Calif.) comes in at No. 5.

The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the conferences, independents and unaffiliated groups. The ratings included those ballots submitted by these selected raters. The first regular season Top 25 poll will be announced on Sept. 9.

For more information on NAIA men’s cross country, please click here.

2008 NAIA Men’s Cross Country Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll – (Aug. 19)

RANK	LAST YEAR*	SCHOOL	1st PLACE VOTES	FINAL POINTS
1	1	Malone College (Ohio)	15	405
2	T5	Black Hills State University (S.D.)		381
T3	7	Azusa Pacific University (Calif.)		366
T3	11	Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Fla.)		366
5	9	Concordia University (Calif.)		335
6	20	Union University (Tenn.)		333
7	16	Concordia University (Neb.)		326
8	12	Eastern Oregon University		306
9	T5	Lindenwood University (Mo.)		287
10	24	Cedarville University (Ohio)		264
11	NR	Doane College (Neb.)		257
12	14	Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho)		254
13	25	Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.)		249
14	RV	Shawnee State University (Ohio)		234
15	21	Dickinson State University (N.D.)		219
16	RV	Southwestern College (Kan.)		207
17	15	Vanguard University (Calif.)		200
18	RV	Wayland Baptist University (Texas)		165
19	NR	Taylor University (Ind.)		161
20	19	Westmont College (Calif.)		148
21	10	Oklahoma Baptist University		138
22	NR	Concordia University (Ore.)		126
23	NR	Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.)		114
24	NR	Shorter College (Ga.)		112
25	17	Indiana Wesleyan University		96

Others receiving votes:

University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) 81; Fresno Pacific University (Calif.) 56; Southern Oregon University 51; Milligan College (Tenn.) 46; Northwood University (Texas) 42; University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) 30; Southern Nazarene University (Okla.) 27; Dana College (Neb.) 23; Oklahoma Wesleyan University 17; Bryan College (Tenn.) 14; McKendree University (Ill.) 6; College of Idaho (Idaho) 5; Dakota State University (S.D.) 4; Biola University (Calif.) 3; Robert Morris College (Ill.) 1; Saint Ambrose University (Iowa) 1; Carroll College (Mont.) 1; Xavier University (La.) 1; Graceland University (Iowa) 1; Berry College (Ga.) 1

* Rating from the 2007 final regular season poll.