KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Washburn Ichabods were picked second in the MIAA Preseason MIAA Media Poll and third in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll which was released today by the MIAA office at the 2010 Kickoff Luncheon at the Kansas City Marriott. The Ichabods will open the season on Aug. 28 at the Colorado School of Mines.

The Ichabods (8-3 in 2009) had 259 points in the MIAA Preseason Media/SID poll, one point ahead of MIssouri Western who finished with 258. Northwest Missouri, the defending national champions, received all 33 first place votes turned in by the school's sports information directors and media.

In the preseason coaches poll, the Ichabods were tabbed third by the league's taskmasters and received one first place vote for 62 points. Northwest Missouri was the unanimous pick by the coaches tallying 81 points. Nebraska-Omaha recorded 65 points. Missouri Western was fourth with 61 points.

The Ichabods return 20 starters overall with eight on both offense and defense and a combined 57 letterwinners from a team which went 6-3 in the MIAA in 2009 finishing the season ranked No. 25 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.

2010 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (9) – 81 pts.
2. Nebraska-Omaha – 65 pts.
3. Washburn (1) – 62 pts.
4. Missouri Western – 61 pts.
5. Central Missouri – 49 pts.
6. Pittsburg State – 48 pts.
7. Fort Hays State – 29 pts.
8. Missouri Southern – 26 pts.
9. Emporia State – 16 pts.
10. Truman – 13 pts.
 
2010 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (33) – 330 pts.
2. Washburn – 259 pts.
3. Missouri Western – 258 pts.
4. Nebraska-Omaha – 236 pts.
5. Central Missouri – 210 pts.
6. Pittsburg State – 159 pts.
7. Fort Hays State – 148 pts.
8. Missouri Southern – 94 pts.
9. Emporia State – 72 pts.
10. Truman – 49 pts.