Aug. 22, 2007

ELMHURST, Ill. - The Southern Utah men's cross country team was named the
preseason favorite to repeat as conference champions in the inaugural Summit
League Cross Country Championships. The league's 10 head coaches also picked
the Oral Roberts women's team to win its third straight conference crown.

In the voting on the men's side, Southern Utah was the unanimous favorite
recording 81 points and nine first-place votes. North Dakota State claimed
the other first-place vote and came in second with 66 points. Oakland (61),
South Dakota State (55) and Oral Roberts (54) took the third through fifth
slots, respectively. The poll was rounded out by Western Illinois (39),
IUPUI (34), UMKC (29), IPFW (20) and Centenary (11).

On the women's side, Oral Roberts was selected first on eight of the ballots
for a total of 80 points. Southern Utah and North Dakota State recorded the
other two first-place votes and had 67 and 59 points, respectively. Oakland
placed fourth with 52 points, while South Dakota State garnered 43 points.
Completing the poll was Western Illinois (39), IPFW (38), UMKC (36), IUPUI
(26) and Centenary (10).

The Southern Utah men's team will be without two-time champion Jess
Baumgartner this season, but will bring back first-team all-conference
selections Dave Sheeran and Shaun Vernon. Sheeran placed third in the 2006
championships with a time of 26:12.98, while Vernon was right behind his
teammate with a time of 26:14.91. The Thunderbirds are the defending
champions and have won eight conference championships in the last 10 years.

North Dakota State welcomes back four seniors this season as it placed
second and tops among the three newcomers to The Summit League.
All-conference first team selection Jason Young is back for his senior
season for the Golden Grizzlies of Oakland after placing sixth last season
in 26:35.35. South Dakota State brings back only two seniors, but will
welcome seven newcomers to the mix this season.

After a third-place finish last year, the Oral Roberts men will rely on 2006
second-team all-conference honoree Shaun Smith. Smith placed 12th last year
after crossing the finish line in 27:04.86. Western Illinois will have top
performer David Traphagen back for his senior year after a 22nd-place finish
in 2006.

Sharla Platt will be back on the starting line for Southern Utah after
an11th-place finish at the 2006 championships, good for second team honors.
North Dakota State will have one of the youngest teams in The Summit League
with only one senior and one junior one the roster.

Newcomer of the Year Sara Lieblein will be back for Oakland after placing
16th last year with a time of 23:32.67. The South Dakota State Jackrabbits
have only one senior, Shannon Hattervig, on their roster, along with seven
newcomers.

Western Illinois will bring back first-team all-conference selection Beth
Whalen. Whalen placed seventh last year with a time of 22:17.37. Meanwhile,
league newcomer IPFW also returns only one senior on a young squad.

All-conference first team members Sara Hiller and Jessica Scott come back
for their senior seasons at UMKC after placing fourth and sixth,
respectively last year. Jenny Braun (24th) is the top returning performer
for IUPUI, while Centenary welcomes back its overall top performer Lori
VonPingel (40th) for her senior season.

The Summit League is comprised of 10 member institutions - Centenary College
of Louisiana, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW),
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), University of
Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), North Dakota State University, Oakland
University, Oral Roberts University, South Dakota State University, Southern
Utah University and Western Illinois University. The league offers
championships in 19 sports.

2007 Summit League Cross Country Men's Preseason Poll