NAPERVILLE, IL -- The NJIT men's and women's cross country teams have been selected to finish sixth and seventh, respectively, in the preseason coaches' poll in the Great West Conference, the league office announced Thursday evening.

The 2009 champions will be crowned on October 31 when NJIT hosts the Great West Conference championships in the Bronx, NY at Van Cortlandt Park.

On the men's side, Utah Valley received six first-place votes for a total of 62 points, while defending champion Texas-Pan American collected the other two first-place votes and tied Houston Baptist for second in the voting with 46 points apiece.

South Dakota and Seattle came next in the poll, followed by NJIT, North Dakota and Chicago State, in that order.

On the women's side, Utah Valley was picked to repeat as Great West Conference champion totaling 63 points on seven first-place votes. South Dakota picked up the other first-place vote and finished second in the poll, followed by North Dakota.

Texas-Pan American was tabbed fourth in the voting, followed by Seattle and Houston Baptist ahead of NJIT and Chicago State.

This is the second year for cross country competition in the Great West Conference. In the 2008 race hosted by Utah Valley, NJIT ace Umar Saeed finished third, pacing the Highlanders to a fifth-place team finish, with Texas-Pan Am claiming the team title.

The Highlanders were sixth as a team in the 2008 women's race won by Utah Valley. Amanda Hefferan was NJIT's top individual in the women's race.

The Highlanders will open the 2009 season at the Hofstra Invitational on September 5.