ELMHURST, IL -- South Dakota State is the pick of The Summit League coaches to defend it's men's cross country title in 2013.

The Jacks received five first place votes and 25 points in the poll.  The University of South Dakota was second with the remaining first place vote and 20 total points.

SDSU has won three of the last four conference titles, and return three all-league runners.  Trent Lusignan and Joel Reichow made the all-league team last year and Anthony Bongard was an all-league runner in 2010.

All-Summit League runners Jeff Mettler and Mubarik Musa are back for the Coyotes.

Two-time Summit League champion North Dakota State earned the top spot in the women's poll with six first place votes and 36 points.  The Coyotes had 30 points and the other first place vote to finish second.  The Jackrabbits were third with 27 points.

USD's Megan Hilson, Katie Wetzstein and last year's Summit League Newcomer of the Year Amber Eickhorn return for the Coyotes, who finished second at the 2012 Summit League Championships.

The Jackrabbits finished third last year, and have Cheyanne Bowers, Courtney Neubert and Laura Lawton as the top runners returning from last year's team.

The Jackrabbits and Coyotes open the 2013 season at the Bison Open August 30 in Fargo.

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