BURNSVILLE, Minn. - Minnesota State University was picked to win the NSIC in the preseason women's outdoor track & field coaches' poll. The Mavericks received 12 first place votes and tallied 167 points, ranking them ahead of second place University of Mary. The Marauders had 157 points and a first place vote (coaches cannot vote for their own team).

SMSU was selected tied for 11th with 48 points, while Madison Marco and Christine Sleeter were selected as 'Athletes to Watch'. 

"Maddy was the only freshman to place in the steeplechase at the 2024 NSIC Outdoor Championships," said SMSU head coach Kirk Nauman. "This past indoor season Maddy broke the SMSU 1,000 M record and was a part of another school record in the distance medley relay. I look forward see her progress in her outdoor sophomore season."

"Christine continues to progress as in the high jump as she has chosen to focus on one event," Nauman said. "This past indoor season Christine became a NCAA Provisional Qualifier in the high jump for the first time. With increased consistency, she continues to go higher. She has the SMSU record in sight this outdoor season."

Minnesota State's Adeyah Brewster was picked as the preseason track athlete of the year while Sioux Falls Emily Swanson was the preseason field athlete of the year.

The 2025 NSIC outdoor track & field season gets underway this weekend with the regular season culminating on May 8-10 at the NSIC Championships held on the campus of the University of Minnesota Duluth.