The Big Sky Conference announced the 2017 indoor track and field coaches' preseason polls on Wednesday (Jan. 18), as the Eastern Washington University women's team was chosen to place fourth and the men's team picked eighth.

Northern Arizona was the unanimous first place selection on the men's side, while Sacramento State led the women. The Eastern women were just a few points shy of Weber State for the third overall selection.

"I am surprised but pleased with our fourth place ranking in the Big Sky Conference pre-season polls," said head coach Marcia Mecklenburg. "Rankings are one thing, but getting the job done when you need to is another. Our focus is getting the job done at the Big Sky Championship in five weeks."

At last year's Big Sky Indoor Championship, the EWU women's team finished at an all-time best third place, while the men took eighth. The Eagles brought back four individual conference championships, and 11 top-three finishes to earn All-Big Sky honors.

Eastern's returning indoor champions include junior Rebecca Tarbert in the 60-meter dash, junior Jeremy VanAssche in the 60, and sophomore Larry Still for the pole vault.
With the polls released, both squads will suit up this weekend at the Bronco Invitational hosted by Boise State in Nampa, Idaho, on Saturday (Jan. 21). The meet will be held in the Jacksons Indoor Track at the Ford Idaho Center.

The meet will begin at 8 a.m. Pacific Time with the field events, while the running events will start at 9:45 a.m. and continue throughout the day.

"The Bronco Invite will give us a chance to compete against Sacramento State and Portland State for the first time this year," said Mecklenburg. "Sac is always tough across all event areas and Portland State has some amazing sprinters. I am expecting our defending Big Sky Champion Rebecca Tarbert to get tested. Our vaulters should also have a little more competition then they have had in the last couple of meets and it will be fun to see how they respond."

At last week's Vandal Invitational on Jan. 13, Eastern defeated Idaho in both the men's and women's team scoring. EWU took home 12 individual titles from the event. Sophomore Chez Jackson highlighted the men's performance by winning titles in the 200-meter dash and the high jump. The women's events featured two underclassmen placing first, including freshman Samantha Boudreau in the shot put and sophomore Elizabeth Prouty in the pole vault.

"At this time of the year, the focus is to continue improving marks, and take advantage of competition situations and learn from them," Mecklenburg said.

Live results will be available during the event.