May 15, 2008

www.siusalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois track and field team will serve as the host of the 2008 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championships May 16-18 at McAndrew Stadium. The decathlon and women's hammer throw will kick off events Friday at 12 p.m.

This will be the first time since 2003 and the sixth time in program history that the Salukis will host the Missouri Valley Conference Championships.

The Saluki women were picked tied for second in the pre-championship poll, while the men were picked fourth. UNI was picked first in both polls, Indiana State picked second in each, the Sycamore women tied with SIU.

The Wichita State men were picked third, just ahead of SIU, while Illinois State and Drake round out the men's poll.

On the women's side, Wichita State was picked fourth, while Missouri State, Illinois State, Drake and Bradley were picked fifth through eighth.

Events will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday and 12 p.m. on Sunday. The final race of the meet is scheduled for 4:35 p.m. on Sunday, the men's 4x400-meter relay. The specialty awards presentations will follow the final event.

For more information, including links to results and a schedule, visit the championship central web page at the link below.

Championship Central

Women's Pre-Championship Poll
Team Pts (1st-place votes)
UNI 62(7)
INS 50 (1)
SIU 50
WSU 42
MSU 35
ILS 25
DU 16
BU 8

Men's Pre-Championship Poll
Team Pts (1st-place votes)
UNI 36 (6)
INS 27
WSU 26
SIU 19
ILS 11
DU 7