MARION, Ind. -- Indiana Wesleyan University women's cross country opens the 2010 season ranked No. 23 in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Top-25 Poll, released Wednesday evening.

The Wildcats finished 2009 with a ranking of No. 19 while finishing 18th at the NAIA Cross Country National Championship in Vancouver, Washington.

Indiana Wesleyan is a deep squad in 2010 after losing just one top-five runner from last year in senior Kailee Whitaker. IWU returns 18 letter winners from a year ago.

Senior Kelsey Devereaux and junior Beka Bentle return this season after an injury marred 2009. The pair would have been the top-two runners for the Wildcats. Also returning are seniors Cassidy Wagner, Ann Marie Lanzetta, Angela Arvoy and Sarah Moyer. Head coach John Foss believes all six have All-American potential.

"We have a lot of depth, talent, experience and focus this year," said Foss. "We had some key injuries that really hurt us last season. We have to avoid those to be able to reach our potential."

Spring Arbor (Mich.) University is ranked No. 18 in the preseason poll and is the top-ranked program from the Mid-Central College Conference. Taylor (Ind.) University received votes and sits outside the top-25. IWU looks to capture their 11th MCC championship since 1998.

Biola (Calif.) University is ranked No. 1 and received 15-of-21 first place votes for 586 points. California State University-San Marcos is second with the other six first place votes and 571 points.

On the men's side, Indiana Wesleyan received votes and currently sits just outside the top-25. IWU is the second team in the received votes section with 56 points and is the highest MCC program in the preseason poll.

Junior Ethan Naylor, sophomore Andrew Albert, junior Ethan Laudermilch and sophomore Matt Mitchell all return from last year's team that finished third in the MCC. IWU lost MCC All-Conference runner Joel Liechty and Doug Alles to graduation.

The Wildcats seek their sixth conference title since 2000 and 18th overall.

Defending national champion Malone (Ohio) University is the top team in the ranking with 555 points and 15-of-20 first place votes. Southern Oregon University is second with 546 points and the remaining five first place votes.

Indiana Wesleyan opens the 2010 season on September 18 at the Friendship Invitational hosted by Cedarville (Ohio) University. The women run at 10 a.m. with the men to follow at 11 a.m.

Click here for NAIA Women's Cross Country Top-25 Preseason Poll
Click here for NAIA Men's Cross Country Top-25 Preseason Poll