OGDEN, Utah – The Big Sky Conference announced Wednesday morning that the Northern Arizona men's track and field team were selected to win the league crown in the coaches' poll for the upcoming outdoor season. The Lumberjack women were picked to finish third.

In a vote by the nine Big Sky Conference head coaches, Northern Arizona was picked to win the men's championship over Montana State. The Lumberjacks earned six first-place votes and 77 points. Montana State earned two first-place votes and 72 points, while Sacramento State was picked third with one first-place vote and 55 points.

The Lumberjacks were the runners-up at last year's championship in Sacramento, Calif., finishing behind the hosting Hornets. Weber State won the 2010 championship and NAU claimed the previous three. The 2012 Big Sky Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championship will be held May 9-12 in Bozeman, Mont. In 2003, the last time the championship was in Bozeman, the Lumberjacks took the crown.

On the women's side, Sacramento State was selected as the favorite with 77 points and five first-place votes. Weber State was picked second with four first-place votes and 73 points. NAU was picked third with 54 points. Following the Lumberjacks was Portland State (4th, 47 points), Montana State (5th, 46), Montana (6th, 42), Idaho State (7th, 28), Eastern Washington (8th, 27) and Northern Colorado (9th, 11).

NAU opens up the outdoor season with the Willie Williams Invitational in Tucson, Ariz., March 16-17.

Men's Poll
Team (1st-place votes) - Points
Northern Arizona (6) - 77          
Montana State (2) - 72
Sacramento State (1) - 55
Eastern Washington - 53
Weber State - 47
Montana - 37
Idaho State - 35
Northern Colorado - 16
Portland State - 13

Women's Poll
Team (1st-place votes) - Points
Sacramento State (5) - 77
Weber State (4) - 73
Northern Arizona - 54
Portland State - 47
Montana State - 46
Montana - 42
Idaho State - 28
Eastern Washington - 27
Northern Colorado - 11