WACO, Texas - The Oklahoma Christian Eagles have been picked to win the conference title in the 2016 Preseason Men’s Cross Country Poll in a vote of Heartland Conference coaches and sports information directors.
OC is looking to make it back-to-back titles after dominating the conference meet in 2015 thanks to a stout senior lineup. The Eagles received seven first-place votes and 145 points overall narrowly edging out Dallas Baptist for top spot in the preseason poll. The Patriots earned more first-place votes with eight, but only received 143 total points. DBU finished second in last year’s conference meet and return its top six runners who were all underclassman last season.
Newman rounded out the top three in the poll finishing with one first-place vote and 123 overall points. Lubbock Christian followed with 105 points and Rogers State was picked fifth earning 99 points, and two first-place votes.
Texas A&M International received 68 points, St. Edward’s received 60 points, UAFS received 40 points and Oklahoma Panhandle State received 27 points to finish out the poll.
Heartland Conference Men’s Cross Country Preseason Poll
| No. |
Name |
1st |
Total |
| 1. |
Oklahoma Christian |
7 |
145 |
| 2. |
Dallas Baptist |
8 |
143 |
| 3. |
Newman |
1 |
123 |
| 4. |
Lubbock Christian |
|
105 |
| 5. |
Rogers State |
2 |
99 |
| 6. |
Texas A&M International |
|
68 |
| 7. |
St. Edward’s |
|
60 |
| 8. |
UAFS |
|
40 |
| 9. |
Oklahoma Panhandle State |
|
27 |