University of South Dakota women and South Dakota State University men rate the top spot in this year’s Summit League cross country polls.

Defending champion South Dakota was chosen as the favorite in The Summit League’s women’s cross country preseason poll.

In voting by the league’s eight head coaches, the Coyotes totaled 47 points, including six of eight first place votes.

North Dakota State, last season’s runner-up, was picked second, finishing with 42 points and the remaining two first-place votes. South Dakota State was close behind, placing third with 40 points.

For the first time in history, there are co-favorites in The Summit League’s men’s cross country preseason poll.

In voting by the league’s seven head coaches, defending champion IUPUI and 2014 runner-up South Dakota State each received 33 points. The Jaguars edged the Jackrabbits in first-place votes, four to three.

South Dakota (25 points) and North Dakota State (23 points) finished third and fourth in the preseason poll.