The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released its preseason poll this afternoon with the Fighting Illini checking in at number five.

The Orange and Blue begin the 2015 campaign ranked in the same spot they finished in at the Midwest Regional in Peoria, Illinois last November. The team returns their top runner from last year's regional, Ian Barnett, along with veterans Paul Zeman and Dylan Lafond. The Illini add transfers Jack Driggs and Sean Pengelly along with a freshman class that includes Jesse Reiser and Zach Dale who were the first two finishers at the IHSA state meet last fall.

The region is led by Oklahoma State, winners of the last four Midwest Regionals, and Iowa State from the Big 12. The Big Ten has three representatives with Minnesota in third and Iowa beginning the season ranked seventh.

The Orange and Blue open their season on Friday, September 4 at 7pm when they host Missouri, debuting at No. 14 in the Midwest poll, in the annual Illini Challenge.