WEST POINT, N.Y. - With the outdoor track & field set to begin Friday in Tampa, Fla., the Patriot League has released its annual preseason poll, as voted on by the League's head coaches and sports information directors.

The Army men were tabbed to finish first and defend their 2009 crown, while the women's team garnered third place in the poll.

In the men's poll, the Black Knights garnered 98 points and 14-of-16 first-place votes to grab first overall and edge runner-up Bucknell, who accumulated 80 points and two first-place nods. Service academy rival Navy tied for second with 80 points but no first-place votes, followed by Lafayette (58), Lehigh (46), American (38), Colgate (26), and Holy Cross (22).

Last season, the Army men claimed their 17^th outdoor title in 18 seasons by winning 10 of the 22 contested events at the Patriot League Championships at West Point's Shea Stadium. The outdoor title capped off a cross country-indoor-outdoor sweep of Patriot League hardware for the Black Knights for the first time since 2001-02. Army standouts Domonick Sylve and Michael Hutchins, who earned Track and Rookie of the Meet citations at last year's championship, will both return after earning All-League honors during stellar indoor campaigns.

On the women's side, Bucknell was forecast to place first overall with 98 points and 14 first-place votes. Navy (86 points, two first-place votes) edged Army for second overall, as Army collected 65 points. Lehigh (62) was tabbed for fourth place in the poll, followed by Holy Cross (51), Colgate (42), and Lafayette (26).

In the 2009 Patriot League Outdoor Championship, the Army women collected fourth place and were led by strong performances from junior Tonya Stallard (heptathlon) and senior Kim Mallard (hammer), who will aid Army once more this season. An Academy record holder in the pole vault after raising the bar during the indoor season, junior Hallie Huggins also returns after earning Second Team All-Patriot League honors in 2009.

After a 12-day hiatus at the conclusion of the indoor season, Army track & field returns to action on Friday in the outdoor season premier at the Bulls Invitational in Tampa, Fla.

Men's Track & Field Preseason Poll

Army - 98 (14)

Bucknell - 80 (2)

Navy - 80

Lafayette - 58

Lehigh - 46

American - 38

Colgate - 26

Holy Cross - 22

Women's Track & Field Preseason Poll

Bucknell - 98 (14)

Navy - 86 (2)

Army - 65

Lehigh - 62

Holy Cross - 51

Colgate - 42

Lafayette - 26

American - 18