OGDEN, Utah (March 14, 2012) - The Northern Arizona men and the Sacramento State women topped the men’s and women’s outdoor track and field preseason coaches’ poll.

In a vote by the nine Big Sky Conference head coaches, Northern Arizona was picked to win the men’s championship over Montana State. The Lumberjacks earned six first-place votes and 77 points. Montana State earned two first-place votes and 72 points, while Sacramento State was picked third with one first-place vote and 55 points.

The Hornets clamed last year’s championship in Sacramento, Calif. The Lumberjacks were the runners-up. Weber State won the 2010 championship and NAU won the previous three. The 2012 Big Sky Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championship will be held May 9-12 in Bozeman, Mont. In 2003, the last time the championship was in Bozeman, Northern Arizona won the meet.

Following the Hornets in the men’s poll was Eastern Washington (4th, 53 points), Weber State (5th, 47), Montana (6th, 37), Idaho State (7th, 35), Northern Colorado (8th, 16) and Portland State (9th, 13).

On the women’s side, Sacramento State was selected as the favorite with 77 points and five first-place votes. Weber State was picked second with four first-place votes and 73 points. NAU was picked third with 54 points. Following the Lumberjacks was Portland State (4th, 47 points), Montana State (5th, 46), Montana (6th, 42), Idaho State (7th, 28), Eastern Washington (8th, 27) and Northern Colorado (9th, 11).

The Hornets won the title last season, which was their fourth consecutive title. That fourth consecutive title is a first in Big Sky history on the women’s side. Montana was the runner-up last season and NAU was the runner-up the previous three. In 2003, Montana State won the title, which is its only women’s title.

* Voting is calculated by each team receiving nine points for a first place vote, eight points for a second place vote, etc. Coaches are allowed to vote for their respective teams. Below are the final results with the number of first place votes in parenthesis.    

 

 2012 Preseason Polls

Men’s Poll
Team                                                     Points
Northern Arizona (6)                            77          
Montana State (2)                                72
Sacramento State (1)                         55
Eastern Washington                          53
Weber State                                         47
Montana                                                37
Idaho State                                           35
Northern Colorado                              16
Portland State                                      13

 

Women’s Poll
Team                                                     Points
Sacramento State (5)                         77
Weber State (4)                                   73
Northern Arizona                                 54
Portland State                                     47
Montana State                                     46
Montana                                               42
Idaho State                                          28
Eastern Washington                         27
Northern Colorado                            11