Valley Release
 
ST. LOUIS – The Missouri State women's track and field team was picked fifth in the Missouri Valley Conference coaches' preseason poll for the 2019-20 indoor season, announced by the league on Wednesday.
 
Illinois State (100), which has won back-to-back MVC Indoor Championships, was the unanimous selection as the Valley's frontrunners after receiving all 10 first-place votes from the league's coaches.  Southern Illinois and Indiana State tied for the second-place slot with both teams earning 83 points, followed by UNI (72) in the fourth spot.
 
Missouri State (58) is projected to close out the top five with Loyola (53), Bradley (39), Drake (30), Valpo (19), and Evansville (13) falling behind the Bears to round out the rest of the poll.
 
"5th is where I expected us to be picked with four quality programs in front of us and several more behind that are continuing to build," said head coach Jordan Fife.  "We are very motivated and have a lot to prove, but I know we are capable of finishing higher than what the preseason poll has us at."
 
The Bears placed sixth at the 2019 MVC Indoor Championship, finishing a half-point behind Loyola in the team standings.  Returner Jamilah James collected All-MVC honors after claiming the triple jump title and finishing second in the long jump.
 
Fife returns a total of 16 athletes to his 2019-20 track and field squad, including three who joined James in scoring points for the Bears at the indoor conference championship last season. 
 
"Overall, we are a very young team this year, but we have enough experience with our juniors and seniors to help navigate our younger group throughout the season," added Fife.  "I'm excited to get back from break and see what this team is made of."
 
MSU opens the indoor season with the Arkansas Invitational on Friday, Jan. 17 in Fayetteville, Ark.  The Bears will conclude the indoor slate at the 2020 MVC Indoor Championships, hosted by UNI on Feb. 29 – March 1 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.