Courtesy: WAC

DENVER - The Western Athletic Conference announced its men's and women's cross country pre-championship coaches' polls, as voted on by the nine head coaches in the league. Utah State was selected as the favorite to win the men's championship, while Idaho was picked to win the women's title.

Utah State, the winner of six of the past seven men's WAC championships, was picked to win the men's title. The Aggies received four first-place votes and 65 points. New Mexico State captured second place with 60 points with two first-place votes. Seattle U claimed the third spot with 58 points, garnering two first-place votes. With 50 points, Idaho was voted fourth. UT Arlington, was two points behind the Vandals, receiving a lone first-place vote and 48 total points. The rest of the men's picture rounds out with UTSA sixth (42), San Jose State seventh (26), Texas State eight (24) and Louisiana Tech ninth (19).

Idaho, the 2010 and 2011 WAC women's champions were selected first with six first-place votes and 68 overall points. Past champions New Mexico State followed closely in second with two first-place votes for 65 points. With 55 points, Utah State was picked to finish third. UTSA received one first-place vote and 53 points to capture the fourth spot, while UT Arlington was ranked fifth with 44 points. Seattle U was selected sixth, totaling 40 points, followed by San Jose State in seventh with 29 points. Closing out the coaches votes were Texas State in eight with 25 points and Louisiana Tech in ninth with 17 points. 

The 2012 Western Athletic Conference cross country championships will take place in Ruston, La., on Saturday, Oct. 27.

2012 Pre-Championship Men's Cross Country Coaches Poll

2012 Pre-Championship Women's Cross Country Coaches Poll