WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.- The Monmouth University women's track and field team has been picked as the preseason favorite to capture the Northeast Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship, the league's head coaches announced in their annual poll.

This year marks the second consecutive season the NEC's head coaches have tabbed the Hawks as the preseason favorite. Monmouth lived up to its preseason billing last year to capture its third crown since 2004 and deny Long Island a three-peat. The 2009 NEC Indoor Track & Field Championships presented by Road Runner Sports will take place on February 21-22 in Landover, Md.

“We are honored that the coaches in the conference have voted us as the pre-season favorites again this winter” said coach Joe Compagni. “The NEC will be very competitive in every event area again this season and we are looking forward to the season.”

The Hawks claimed nine first-place votes to retain their familiar moniker of preseason favorite. Despite going without any first-place nods, Long Island garnered enough points to take second in the poll followed by Sacred Heart, which won the remaining three first-place votes, in third. The Pioneers' seizure of the third spot ends a four-year streak that saw Monmouth, Long Island, and Saint Francis (PA) perennially finish amongst the poll's top three. This year, the Red Flash are fourth followed by Mount St. Mary's, and Robert Morris.

Quinnipiac claimed the seventh spot, followed by Wagner, Fairleigh Dickinson, and Central Connecticut State. Bryant claimed the 11th spot. The Bulldogs, which officially become a core NEC member come 2012-13, are eligible for the conference title meet as it moves through the NCAA-mandated reclassification process. St. Francis (NY) rounded out the poll in 12th place.

Under the direction of veteran head coach Joe Compagni, the reigning NEC Coach of the Year, Monmouth looks to prove the pollsters right once again. Seeking the program's fourth team title, the Hawks return a large part of the championship formula it used a year ago. Junior sprinter Michelle Losey (Piscataway, NJ/Piscataway) has a 400-meter title to defend. The Most Outstanding Track Performer at last year's meet, Losey also hopes to improve on her second-place showing in the 200-meter dash and also help the Hawks repeat in the 1600-meter relay. Junior mid-distance runner Cailin Lynam (Sparta, NJ/Sparta)has gold aspirations after settling for silver last season in both the mile (5:02.45) and 3000-meter (10:10.06). Compagni must find a way to make up for the field points that the graduated pole vaulter Nikki Zwartes earned each of the past few season. Junior Jenn Tarsan (Middlesex, NJ/Middlesex), who has scored at prior meets in both the long jump and triple jump, may be able to provide some of those points. Hoping to improve upon her second-place finish in last year's 500-meter race (1:16.30), junior Crystal Stein (Stewartstown, PA/Susquehannock) adds more potency to one of the deepest rosters in the conference.

Monmouth opened the season last Saturday at the Princeton New Years Invitational.

1. Monmouth (6)

2. Saint Francis (PA) (1)

3. Long Island (4)

4. Sacred Heart

5. Quinnipiac

6. Robert Morris

7. Mount St. Mary's

8. Wagner

9. Central Conn. St.

10. St. Francis (NY)

11. Fairleigh Dickinson