The 2014 Mountain West cross country preseason coaches’ poll selected the Colorado State University men’s team to finish second, and the women’s team to finish third in the upcoming season, according to a release sent out by the league Thursday.

The ranking reflects CSU’s performances at the conference championships last fall when the women’s team finished third, and the men’s team recorded its best performance since 2005 by finishing second.

New Mexico was selected to repeat as champions for the men, receiving 49 points and seven first place votes. Colorado State received 40 points and one first place vote. Air Force and Boise State finished in a tie for third with 35 points, followed by Wyoming in fifth (23 points), Utah State in sixth (22), Fresno State in seventh (13) and San José State in eighth (7).

The Lobos were also selected to finish third in 2014 for the women with 97 points and seven first place votes. Boise State came next with 92 points and four first place points.

The Rams were projected to finish third with 82 points. Wyoming was selected to finish fourth (63), followed by Utah State (61), Air Force (58), Nevada (54), Fresno State (41), San Diego State (25), San José State (18) and UNLV (17).

The men’s team return two all-conference winners in senior Andrew Goodman and redshirt sophomore Jefferson Abbey. The men’s team finished 26th in the country in 2014. The women’s team returns former MW Freshman of the Year, Sanne Holland.

The Rams open the season hosting the CSU Invite on Sept. 5 at Hughes Stadium.

Collegian Sports Reporter Emmett McCarthy can be reached at sports@collegian.com and on Twitter @EmmettCollegian.