Penn, who was 7-5 a year ago (5-2 MWL, third), is fourth in the eight-team division with 41 points. It is a small drop from last year's third-place ranking, which was the highest the program was placed since joining the MWL in 2002.

Defending champion McKendree, who ran the table at 7-0 last year (9-2 overall), has been selected to repeat with five first-place votes, while Grand View and St. Ambrose are tied for second with 50 points (one first-place vote apiece).

The poll rounds out with Quincy in fifth (38 points, one first-place vote), St. Francis (Ill.) in sixth (30 points), Iowa Wesleyan in seventh (13 points), and Waldorf in eighth (11 points).

The Statesmen begin 2010 by hitting the road for Lamoni to face Graceland on September 4 at 6 p.m. The league slate starts on September 18 with the home opener against Quincy at 1:30 p.m.

2010 MSFA Midwest League Preseason Coaches Poll

School Points (First Place Votes)
McKendree               55 (5)
Grand View              50 (1)
St. Ambrose             50 (1)
William Penn         41
Quincy                      38 (1)
St. Francis (Ill.)         30
Iowa Wesleyan        13
Waldorf                    11