The Great Plains Athletic Conference has released its 2008 preseason coaches polls for both the men and the women. The Nebraska Wesleyan men were picked to finish third and received one first place vote, while the NWU women were picked to finish sixth. Hastings College was the coaches choice to win the men's championship, while Morningside College was picked as the women's favorite.

The NWU men received 116 total points and the one first place vote to finish third in the poll. The Prairie Wolves finished the 2007 season with a 11-6-1 overall record and a 7-4-1 GPAC record to finish as the conference runner-up. Head Coach James Beckman is expecting to return eight starters and 13 lettermen from the 2007 squad.

The Prairie Wolves open the 2008 season on Aug. 30-31 at the Valley Cup Invitational in Oshkosh, Wis. NWU will play St. Norbert College on Aug. 30 at 3:30 pm.

The NWU women received 83 votes in the poll to finish sixth. NWU was 7-8-3 overall in 2007 and went 6-4-2 in the GPAC to end the season in a tie for seventh. Head Coach Jane Hoops begins her third season and is expecting to have eight returning starters and 13 lettermen back this season.

The Prairie Wolves women open the 2008 campaign with a trip to Minnesota to face the College of St. Benedict on Aug. 30.