OGDEN, Utah – The Big Sky Conference announced the 2012 Cross Country Preseason polls on Aug. 23 and the Bobcats are ready to pick up where they left off in 2011.

The Montana State men were picked to finish third among 11 programs with 96 total points. MSU returns six veterans, including Jacob Kirk who was an All-Conference selection in 2011 after finishing ninth at the Big Sky Championship. As a team, the ‘Cats placed third overall behind champion Northern Arizona and Weber State.

Northern Arizona received 11 first-place votes as the unanimous choice to repeat as Big Sky Men’s Champions.

The Bobcat women were picked fifth of 11 Big Sky Schools for the 2012 season. With the expired eligibility of Heather Haug, MSU’s top returner is Keely West who placed seventh at last year’s championship meet. MSU finished fourth overall as a team.

Weber State earned all 11 first-place votes to finish in the top spot in the Big Sky.

Montana State’s 2012 season commences on Saturday, Sept. 15 when they host the Bozeman Running Company-MSU Invitational at Bridger Creek Golf Course in Bozeman.

– MSU Sports Information