Following an undefeated run through the Midwest League a year ago, Saint Xavier has been picked to repeat in 2023, as the League’s coaches voted the Cougars into the top spot of the MSFA Midwest League Preseason Poll.
Saint Xavier claimed their 9th Midwest League title and 12th MSFA championship overall last season. The Cougars bring back six All-MSFA performers from a year ago, highlighted by an All-MSFA First Team selection in the secondary in senior Ron Carroll.
St. Francis (Ill.), who won a share of the Midwest League title in 2021, placed second in the poll, followed by Roosevelt in third. The 2020 Midwest League champs, Olivet Nazarene, came in fourth, with St. Ambrose and Judson finishing out the rankings.
To determine the preseason rankings, head coaches across the league rank their fellow Midwest League members from top to bottom, with 1st place earning 5 points, 2nd place earning 4 points, etc. Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own teams.
St. Ambrose kicks off the 2023 season for the Midwest League, when they travel to Taylor on August 26. The rest of the league is set to open with a combined six non-conference matchups on September 2.
________________________________________
2023 MSFA Midwest League Preseason Poll
1.) Saint Xavier – 30 pts. (5 first-place votes)
2.) St. Francis (Ill.) – 20 pts. (1)
3.) Roosevelt – 18 pts.
4.) Olivet Nazarene – 13 pts.
5.) St. Ambrose – 9 pts.
6.) Judson – 5 pts.
