ELMHURST, Ill. ? The North Dakota State men's track and field team was tabbed as the unanimous preseason favorite to win the 2011 Summit League outdoor title in a vote of the league's head coaches.  The Bison will be aiming for their second straight title.

NDSU garnered 36 points and all six possible first place votes.  South Dakota State was picked second with 30 points and Southern Utah was chosen third with 25 points.  Oral Roberts was fourth with 23 points, while UMKC was fifth with 16 points.  Western Illinois (9) and Oakland (8) round out the poll.

The Bison are led by reigning Coach of the Year, Don Larson.  Senior Eric Stroh returns to defend his 800 meter title and junior Weston Leutz will be aiming for his second straight title in the decathlon.

Also returning for the Bison are NCAA first round qualifiers Kevin Jackson and Logan Hollenkamp.  Jackson ran the 200 meters and 400 meters last year, while Hollenkamp competed in the hammer throw.

NDSU kicks off the outdoor season at the Baldy Castillo Invitational in Tempe, Ariz. Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19.  The Bison will take on host Arizona State, Dickinson State, Grand Canyon, Manhattan, Mesa CC, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northern Arizona, Scottsdale CC, South Dakota and Southern Utah.  The hammer throw and pole vault will begin Friday at 4 p.m. Central.  The rest of the field and running events will start at 12 p.m. Central on Saturday.

Summit League Preseason Poll

1. North Dakota State, 36 (6)

2. South Dakota State, 30 (1)

3. Southern Utah, 25

4. Oral Roberts, 23

5. UMKC, 16

6. Western Illinois, 9

7. Oakland, 8