The Horizon League has announced its preseason polls for men’s and women’s golf, as voted upon by the league’s head coaches. The Valpo men are picked to finish fourth in the league standings, while the women are projected for a sixth-place finish.

Cleveland State is the preseason favorite on the men’s side, capturing 42 points including six first-place votes. Oakland finished second with 30 points, followed by Wright State (26) and Valpo (21). The Vikings won their third straight Horizon League Championship last spring to make it seven titles in the last 11 years.

On the women’s side, Oakland is the preseason favorite to repeat as league champion. The Grizzlies garnered 26 points, edging out Youngstown State, which finished second in the poll with 25. The Crusaders finished three points shy of Detroit Mercy for fifth. The Crusaders finished in front of UIC and Green Bay, who are picked seventh and eighth respectively.

This marks a jump in the preseason polls for both Valpo teams. The Crusader men were picked to finish sixth last season, while the women were projected eighth a year ago.

The Valpo women’s team started its season this past weekend at the Ball State Sunshine Invitational in Port St. Lucie, Fla., while the men crank up spring play on Monday at The Invitational at Savannah Harbor in Savannah, Ga.   

Men’s Preseason Golf Poll
Cleveland State
Oakland
Wright State
Valparaiso
Northern Kentucky
Detroit
Youngstown State
Green Bay

Women’s Preseason Golf Poll
Oakland
Youngstown State
Cleveland State
Northern Kentucky
Detroit Mercy
Valparaiso
UIC
Green Bay