Bemidji State University hurdler and heptathlete Alex Coleman thrower Savannah Olson were selected as Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Women’s Track and Field Athletes to Watch as the league released its 2017 Preseason Coaches’ Poll Thursday.

Coleman is coming off an indoor season during which she posted BSU’s best marks in the 60-meter hurdles (9.28), high jump (5-1.25), long jump (17-9.5), competed on several relay teams and finished 10th in the NSIC pentathlon (3,115). A newcomer Olson used the indoor season to not only debut her college career, but also solidify herself as one of BSU’s top throwers. She took first in the shot put at four meets, placed 11th at the NSIC Championships and recorded BSU’s top mark in the event (42-0.75) during the indoor season, while she posted a season-best 38-9.75 in the weight throw.

As a team the Beavers were selected 14th in the Coaches’ Poll. The Beavers totaled 44 points in the poll while Minnesota State University, Mankato led all point-getters with 192 and 13-of-15 first-place votes.

University of Minnesota Duluth’s All-American middle distance runner, Emi Trost, and the University of Sioux Falls’ Courtney Crandall, the NSIC outdoor pole vault record holder, were named NSIC Outdoor Track and Field Preseason Athletes of the Year in the same announcement.

The Beavers’ outdoor season gets underway Saturday as they travel to St. Paul, Minn. to compete in the Hamline Invitational. Events are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.