Bradley University Athletics

Men’s Cross Country Picked First in MVC Preseason Poll; Women Second

Cross Country 8/20/2021 10:00:00 AM

The Bradley men's cross country team is predicted to reclaim its spot atop the Missouri Valley Conference – picked first in the conference's annual preseason poll. Additionally, the BU women's team was slated to finish second among the league's 10 programs.

With the preseason nod, the Braves men's team is picked to win its sixth title in the last seven seasons – falling short only during the COVID-adjusted 2020-21 campaign. The Braves return four runners who have earned All-MVC honors in the past in seniors Alec Danner, Jack Franklin and Charlie Parrish and sophomore Billy Hauenstein.

Bradley received 6-of-9 first-place votes to finish first with 78 total points in the preseason poll. Drake followed with 70 points and two first-place votes, while Illinois State had 62 points and the final first-place selection.

The Bradley women have matched a conference record by placing in the top two of the Missouri Valley Conference standings in each of the last eight seasons, including four titles and four runner-up finishes. The Braves also return four All-Valley selections in cross country, led by three-time honoree McKenzie Altmayer – who will attempt to become the first runner in program history to collect all-conference accolades on four occasions. Junior Tyler Schwartz and sophomores Sophia McDonnell and Wilma Nielsen have also received All-Valley honors in the past.

Loyola is slated first in the preseason poll with 99 points and nine first-place votes with Bradley right behind with 90 points and the remaining first-place selection. Illinois State (76), Drake (74) and Northern Iowa (53) round out the top five.

The Bradley cross country teams are slated to open their 2021 schedule on Friday, September 3 at the Hawkeye Invite.

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