Southeast Missouri State cross country teams picked to finish sixth, third in preaseason poll

The Southeast Missouri State men's and women's cross country teams were picked Wednesday to finish sixth and third, respectively, in the preseason poll.

Eastern Kentucky was predicted to finish first and defend both the men's and women's titles, receving 11 first-place votes on the men's side (121 points) and 10 first-place votes on the women's side (120 points).

Eastern Illinois' men's team received 107 points in second, followed by Belmont (98 points) in third. The Panthers secured 108 points to take second on the women's side, followed by Southeast in third with 95 points.

The 2016 Ohio Valley Conference Cross Country Championships will be held Oct. 29 at Percy Warner Park in Nashville, Tennessee. It's the first time the championships have been held there since 2009.

The Redhawks get their season underway on Sept. 2 at the Gabby Reuveni Early Bird in St. Louis.