ST. LOUIS -- The Drake cross country programs were recognized as some of the top contenders for the Missouri Valley Conference title according to MVC coaches. 

Bulldog men's cross country has been slotted first in the MVC with 10 out of 11 first place votes. The Drake men's XC squad returns its core of senior Isaac Basten (2022 MVC Cross Country Championships medalist), junior Aziz Jdai (fifth place at 2022 MVC Cross Country Championships) and junior Enzo Marie (eighth place at 2022 MVC Cross Country Championships). Basten is a five-time NCAA Track & Field All-American. Basten's 10K PR is 29:45.1.

2023 MVC Men's XC Preseason Poll
1. Drake (10)    12
2. Bradley (1)    29
3. Illinois State    34
4. Belmont    39
5. SIU    59
6. Indiana State     64
7. UIC    79
8. Valparaiso    93
8. UNI    93
10. Murray State    106
11. Evansville    118

Drake women's cross country, selected to finish third this season will once again be led by senior Brooke Mullins (2022 MVC Cross Country Championships runner-up), junior Tyla Lumley (eighth place at 2022 MVC Cross Country Championships) and junior Emilie Meyer (18th place at 2022 MVC Cross Country Championships). Mullins became the first Drake women's track & field student-athlete to win an event at the Drake Relays since Gina DeWitt in 1995. Mullin's 6K PR is 20:29.5.

2023 MVC Women's XC Preseason Poll
1. Belmont (10)    14
2. Bradley (2)    28
3. Drake    33
4. Illinois State    47
5. SIU    62
6. UNI    80
7. UIC    90
8. Missouri State    99
9. Indiana State    100
10. Murray State    112
11. Valparaiso        130
12. Evansville        132

Drake cross country will open the 2023 season on Sept. 1 split between the Cyclone Open in Ames, Iowa and Oz Memorial in Minneapolis.