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The Warriors were picked Monday to finish second in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, remaining one of the teams
to beat in a league that jumped to 14 teams with the addition of four talent-rich programs.
WSU, which has won or shared four of the past five league championships, was picked behind newcomer Minnesota Duluth. The Warriors, however, were picked to win the seven-team South Division, ahead of newcomer Minnesota State-Mankato.
The coaches’ polls, as well as preseason players of the year for both divisions, were announced at a media day event in Mankato, Minn.
“Any time you’re considered one of the top teams, it’s a great thing,” said WSU coach Tom Sawyer, whose team plays at Duluth in the regular-season finale Nov. 8. “I think we’re in a good spot. We just hope to be in position at the end.”
The Warriors have been the face of NSIC the past five
seasons, reaching the NCAA Division II playoffs in four of those seasons. WSU won the outright NSIC title last
season, adding it to the championships in won or shared in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
WSU also won NSIC titles in 2000 and 2001 and finished second in 2002 and 2006. Duluth won the title in 2002 before moving to the North Central Conference, while Bemidji State won it in 2006.
Sawyer acknowledged the addition of the four NCC schools will make things tougher on his program. At the same time, he said all the teams are welcome additions that make the NSIC one of the premier conferences in the country.
“We always said we wanted our conference to get better and we did,” Sawyer said. “It’s going to be tougher to win championships, but I think it’s better for us in the long run.”
WSU, which received four first-place votes, was the only team from last year’s league picked among the top five schools this season. Minnesota State-Mankato was third, Augustana fourth and St. Cloud State fifth. All three, as well as Duluth, are former NCC programs.
The Warriors lost quite a bit from last season’s team, including their starting quarterback and top running back and wide receiver. However, the team returns its entire offensive line. WSU also struggled at times last year on defense and will have to improve on that side of the ball.
“We should have pretty good balance on offense and be better on defense,” Sawyer said. “We’re excited about the season. We’re ready to get it rolling.”
WSU opens practice Monday and plays its first game Aug. 30 at Michigan Tech. Its first home game is Sept. 6 against Northern State.
