ELMHURST, Ill. - North Dakota State has been selected as the unanimous men's outdoor track and field preseason favorite as voted on by the league's seven head coaches.

NDSU captured six first-place votes for 36 points, while Southern Utah tallied 29 points. Oral Roberts, selected third, garnered the remaining first-place vote and 28 points. South Dakota State was chosen fourth (20 points), followed by UMKC (16 points), Western Illinois (11 points) and Oakland (seven points).

The North Dakota State men's team is led by coach Don Larson who returns 11 all-league selections from a year ago. Sophomore Weston Leutz returns as the reigning Summit League champion in the 110 hurdles and runner-up in the decathlon. Senior Scott Johnson is back to defend his league title in the hammer throw.  Junior Ted Rud returns as the third place finisher in the decathlon. The Bison also return junior Eric Stroh, the runner-up in the 800 meters at last year's league championships.  NDSU finished second at the outdoor league championships last season.

The Bison open the outdoor season at the Baldy Castillo Invitational beginning Friday, March 19 with the hammer throw.  The rest of the field events and all the running events are on Saturday, March 20.

Men's Preseason Poll

Rank    School, Points

   1.      North Dakota State, 36 (6 first place votes)

   2.      Southern Utah, 29

   3.      Oral Roberts, 28 (1)

   4.      South Dakota State, 20

   5.      UMKC, 16

   6.      Western Illinois, 11

   7.      Oakland, 7