BURNSVILLE, Minn. -- The Southwest Minnesota State University women's indoor track & field team was selected to place ninth in the annual NSIC preseason coaches' poll released on Thursday.
 
SMSU junior Madison Marco (distance) and junior Christine Sleeter (jumps) were both named an 'Athlete to Watch' this season.
 
"Already the school record holder in the 1,000-meters, Madison looks to chase down more indoor records this upcoming season," said SMSU seventh-year head coach, Kirk Nauman. "In her first two years at SMSU, she has helped to program grow as a main contributor to the mid-distance / distance program. She has many attainable goals for this indoor season."
 
"An NCAA Provisional High Jump qualifier both indoor and outdoor last season, Christine is looking for even more this upcoming season," Nauman said. "She is 1-cm shy of the SMSU indoor record and hopes to surpass it on her way to another great season."
 
SMSU begins the season on Friday at the Minnesota State Chuck Petersen Open in Mankato.
 
The NSIC Indoor Championships will be held Feb. 27-28, 2026, in Mankato.