ELMHURST, Ill. ? The three-time defending champion North Dakota State women's track and field team has been selected as the unanimous favorite to capture the 2010-11 Summit League indoor title in a vote of the league's head coaches.

The Bison led the voting with all seven possible first place votes and 49 points.  Southern Utah was picked to finished second with 38 points and South Dakota State and Oral Roberts were third (37) and fourth (36), respectively.  Western Illinois was tabbed fifth and UMKC was sixth.  Oakland and IPFW rounded out the poll.

NDSU is led by head coach Ryun Godfrey, the reigning league Coach of the Year.  Senior Whitney Carlson returns to pace the squad after earning Track Championship MVP and Field Athlete of the Year honors last season.  Carlson is also the defending league champion in the 200 meters, 60 meter hurdles and long jump and set a new school record en route to the long jump title.  She is the school record holder in the 60 hurdles and pentathlon.

The Bison also return three other defending league champions.  Senior Christine (Bruins) Schmaltz won the 800 meters last season, while junior Kristen Killoran is the defending triple jump champion.  Sophomore Toni Tollefson claimed the high jump title as a freshman.  Junior Leslie Brost is the current school record holder in the pole vault.

Summit League Indoor Preseason Poll

1. North Dakota State, 49 (7)

2. Southern Utah, 38 (1)

3. South Dakota State, 37

4. Oral Roberts, 36

5. Western Illinois, 20

6. UMKC, 19

7. Oakland, 18

8. IPFW, 7