Bradley University Athletics

Men’s Cross Country Unanimous Pick for Three-Peat

Missouri Valley Conference

Men's Cross Country 8/15/2017 10:00:00 AM

After claiming the first two Missouri Valley Conference Championships in program history, the Bradley men's cross country team was a unanimous pick to win a third-straight title, according to the MVC preseason coaches' poll announced on Tuesday.

After a historic 2016 campaign, the Braves look to continue its success during the 2017 season. Last year, Bradley won the MVC Championship in dominating fashion with its 24 total points the best score by any school in the conference since 1982. BU also placed a program-best fifth at the NCAA Midwest Regional, while receiving votes in the national poll for the first time in school history.

Racing for the Braves in 2017 include a pair of all-conference performers from a season ago in sophomore Jake Hoffert and senior Taylor Floyd Mews. Hoffert was named the MVC Freshman of the Year after placing third at the 2016 MVC Championship – the top overall finish by a Brave rookie in school history and along with Michael Ward's second-place result, the best finish by any Brave since 1965.

Floyd Mews has also keyed each of the Braves two conference crowns, finishing sixth in 2015 and 2016. The senior is aiming to become just the third BU runner in program history to collect All-MVC honors three times in cross country, joining Rod Collins (1964-66) and Eric Huey (1980, 1982 and 1983).

In addition, the Braves have the luxury of senior Daniel Gagne returning in 2017 after redshirting the 2016 campaign. The Bradley Varsity Club Most Outstanding Male Athlete last year, Gagne quickly made up for lost time during the track season, earning second-team All-America honors after becoming the first BU man to qualify for the NCAA Track and Field Championship in 42 years.

With all nine first-place votes, Bradley led the poll with 81 points and was joined in the top three by Illinois State (68) and Indiana State (65).

The Braves open the 2017 schedule on Friday, September 1 at the EIU Walt Crawford Open. Bradley then returns home for the first of three meets in Peoria with the Bradley Intercollegiate slated for September 15 at Detweiller Park.

Print Friendly Version