The Great Plains Athletic Conference has released its 2009 preseason coaches polls for both the men and the women. The Nebraska Wesleyan men were picked to finish fifth, while the NWU women were picked to finish ninth. Hastings College was the coaches choice to win the men's championship, while Dordt College was picked as the women's favorite.

The NWU men received 103 total points to finish fifth in the poll, just one point behind fourth place Sioux Falls. The Prairie Wolves finished the 2008 season with a 12-6 overall record and a 9-3 GPAC record to finish as the conference runner-up for the second straight season. First year head coach Mike Lynch will welcome back six starters and 11 letterwinners from the 2008 squad.

The Prairie Wolves open the 2009 season at home on Sept. 1 when they host Simpson College at 7:30 pm in Abel Stadium.

The NWU women received 60 votes in the poll to finish ninth. NWU was 5-10-3 overall in 2008 and went 4-5-3 in the GPAC to end the season in ninth. New Head Coach Mike Lynch will begin his first season with six returning starters and eight letterwinners.

The Prairie Wolves women open the 2009 campaign with a trip to face Central College on Sept. 1.