Tech men, women picked fifth in OVC preseason golf poll

Women open season Feb. 19, men on March 5

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech's men's and women's golf teams were both pegged for middle-of-the-pack finishes in the Ohio Valley Conference in 2012, according to the league's annual preseason poll released Thursday.

Both Golden Eagle squads were picked to finish fifth in the poll, which was voted on by the league's head coaches.

Jacksonville State held the No. 1 spot in the men's poll while eight-time champion Murray State was picked to win the women's crown.

On the men's side, Jacksonville State received seven of the nine first-place votes to finish with the most points (63). Eastern Kentucky and Austin Peay received one first-place vote apiece. The Colonels were picked second (56 points) while the Governors were third (52). UT Martin was fourth with 38 votes while Tennessee Tech was fifth with 32. Morehead State (29), Eastern Illinois (22), Murray State (20) and Tennessee State (11) rounded out the poll.

On the women's side, Murray State picked up four of the eight first-place votes and collected 44 points, edging out second-place Morehead State with 43 points. The Eagles also received three first-place votes.

Jacksonville State was third with 38 points while Eastern Kentucky was fourth with 34 points and one first-place vote. Austin Peay and Tennessee Tech tied for fifth with 32 points apiece while Eastern Illinois (14) and Tennessee State (7) rounded out the poll.

The TTU women open their spring season on Feb. 19-20 at the BSC Ann Rhoads Invitational at Oxmoor Valley Course in Birmingham, Ala.

The first tournament of the season for the men takes place March 5 at the Samford Intercollegiate at Hoover Country Club in Birmingham.

OVC Men's Golf Preseason Poll
1. Jacksonville State (7)            63
2. Eastern Kentucky (1)             56
3. Austin Peay (1)                     52
4. UT Martin                             38
5. Tennessee Tech                  32
6. Morehead State                     29
7. Eastern Illinois                      22
8. Murray State                         20
9. Tennessee State                    11

OVC Women's Golf Preseason Poll
1. Murray State (4)                        44
2. Morehead State (3)                    43
3. Jacksonville State                       38
4. Eastern Kentucky (1)                  34
5. Austin Peay                                32
    Tennessee Tech                       32
7. Eastern Illinois                           14
8. Tennessee State                           7