Valparaiso University's men's indoor track and field team has been picked to finish fourth in the Mid-Continent Conference for the 2005 season according to the preseason poll as selected by the league's head coaches.

Head coach Tyler Wingard's squad is coming off of a fourth place finish at last year's championship. The Crusaders earned 10 points in the league poll, tying with UMKC for fourth in the rankings.

Southern Utah, the defending champions were picked to repeat, followed by Western Illinois. Oral Roberts was tabbed third and Chicago State was picked sixth.

First place votes earned six points in the poll on a scale that saw one point issued for a sixth place pick. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.

The Crusaders will open up their 2005 season on January 15 at the Carthage Invitational.

2005 Mid-Continent Conference Preseason Poll
Team - Points
1. Southern Utah (4) - 24
2. Western Illinois (2) - 22
3. Oral Roberts - 17
4. Valparaiso - 10
UMKC - 10
6. Chicago State - 7