DENVER - The Western Athletic Conference announced its men's and women's outdoor track and field pre-championship coaches polls, as voted on by the eight head coaches in the league. Grand Canyon and UMKC tied for the first place ranking in the men's competition and the favorite in the women's competition is NM State.
On the men's side, Grand Canyon and UMKC tied for first with 32 points. Both teams each received three first place votes. Utah Valley earned a close third place with 29 points. The Wolverines received the remaining first place vote. In fourth is UTRGV with 19 points, followed by Seattle U with 15 points. CSU Bakersfield is number six with 14 points, and number seven is Chicago State with 6 points.
For the women, NM State was picked as the favorite. The Aggies recieved 41 points and three first place votes. There is a tie for second between Grand Canyon and UMKC with 40 points. The Lopes received two first place votes and the Roos received one. In fourth place, with 39 points and two first place votes, is Utah Valley. UTRGV is in fifth with 25 points, followed by Seattle U with 19. Chicago State and CSU Bakersfield tied for sixth to round out the women's poll with 10 points each.
The 2017 Western Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field championships will be hosted by UTRGV in Edinburg, TX this Wednesday-Saturday, May 10-13.
2017 Pre-Championship Men's Outdoor Track & Field Coaches Poll
Rank Team (1st - Place Votes) Points
1. Grand Canyon (3) 32
1. UMKC (3) 32
3. Utah Valley (1) 29
4. UTRGV 19
5. Seattle U 15
6. CSU Bakersfield 14
7. Chicago State 6
2017 Pre-Championship Women's Outdoor Track & Field Coaches Poll
Rank Team (1st - Place Votes) Points
1. NM State (3) 41
2. Grand Canyon (2) 40
2. UMKC (1) 40
4. Utah Valley (2) 39
5. UTRGV 25
6. Seattle U 19
7. Chicago State 10
7. CSU Bakersfield 10