Valparaiso University's men's cross country team has been selected to finish fourth in the Mid-Continent Conference this season at the annual league championships according to the preseason poll voted upon by the conference's head coaches.

Head coach Mike Straubel's squad finished in fourth place last year at the league championships and earned 40 points in this year's poll, one more than IUPUI. Southern Utah, last year's conference champion, was picked to repeat in 2004 followed by Oakland and Western Illinois. Oral Roberts was selected to finish sixth, ahead of UMKC, Chicago State, and Centenary.

The 2004 men's cross country championships will take place on October 30 in Rochester, Mich. Oakland will serve as the event's host.

2004 Mid-Continent Conference Preseason Poll
Team Points
1. Southern Utah (7) - 63
2. Oakland (2) - 58
3. Western Illinois - 48
4. Valparaiso - 40
5. IUPUI - 39
6. Oral Roberts - 24
7. UMKC - 23
8. Chicago State - 20
9. Centenary - 9
(First place votes in parentheses)