Dec. 5, 2007

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. - Metro State's men are picked seventh, while the women are picked sixth in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference preseason indoor track and field polls, released Wednesday by the league office.

On the men's side, Adams State was picked No. 1 with six first-place votes, followed by Western State, Chadron State, Nebraska-Kearney, Colorado School of Mines, UC-Colorado Springs and Metro State. Western State earned one first-place vote. Adams State's Nick Lara was named the RMAC Preseason Track Athlete of the Year, while Chadron State's Jourdin Holden earned the preseason field honors.

On the women's side, Adams State earned eight out of nine first-place votes, while Western State got the other top vote and was picked second. Chadron State and Nebraska-Kearney were picked third, followed by Colorado School of Mines, Metro State, Mesa State, UC-Colorado Springs and New Mexico Highlands.

Individually, sprinter Sheila Hughes earned preseason all-RMAC honors. Tanya Gaurmer of Adams State was named the RMAC Preseason Track Athlete of the Year, while Ashley Stephens of Western State earned preseason field honors.

This is the second year that Metro State has sponsored track. The Roadrunners do not have a field team.

RMAC Preseason Men's Indoor Track and Field Poll
1. Adams State (6) 6
2. Western State (1) 11
3. Chadron State 19
4. Nebraska-Kearney 20
5. Colorado School of Mines 24
6. UC-Colorado Springs 33
7. Metro State 34

RMAC Men's Preseason all-RMAC Team
Nick Lara, Adams State
Aaron Braun, Adams State
Jourdin Holdin, Chadron State
Scott Dahlberg, Western State
Ablazah Swofford, Western State
Joel Hamilton, Colorado School of Mines
Matt Gersick, Adams State
Josh Streeter, Adams State
Brandon Harrington, Chadron State
Ross Fellows, Nebraska-Kearney

RMAC Preseason Track Athlete of the Year: Nick Lara, Adams State
RMAC Preseason Field Athlete of the Year: Jourdin Holden, Chadron State

RMAC Preseason Women's Indoor Track and Field Poll
1. Adams State (8) 8
2. Western State (1) 17
3. Chadron State 26
Nebraska-Kearney 26
5. Colorado School of Mines 38
6. Metro State 47
7. Mesa State 48
8. UC-Colorado Springs 56
9. New Mexico Highlands 58

RMAC Women's Preseason all-RMAC Team
Tanya Gaurmer, Adams State
Lavenna Mullenbach, Adams State
Ashley Stephens, Western State
Kelli Dring, Nebraska-Kearney
Agnes Kroneraff, Western State
Sheila Hughes, Metro State
Heather Wood, Adams State
Mary Wells, Chadron State
Casey Hagen, Western State
Airrie Robinson, Western State

RMAC Preseason Track Athlete of the Year: Tanya Gaurmer, Adams State
RMAC Preseason Field Athlete of the Year: Ashley Stephens, Western State