The University of Minnesota Duluth men's outdoor track and field team was picked to finish fifth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, announced by the league Thursday afternoon.

The Bulldogs earned 63 points -- 10 shy of Minnesota State University, Moorhead at 73. Minnesota State University, Mankato was chosen to finish first with 99 points.

The men had two athletes named NSIC Athletes to Watch -- senior distance runner Nick Jacobson and senior thrower Eli Bicek.  Jaconson, who hails from Blaine, Minn. was named NSIC All-Conference after finishing in third place in the mile with a time of 4:14:59 in the NSIC Indoor Track and Field Championship. Bicek, from Elk River, Minn. produced provisional marks in both his throwing events over the indoor season, and earned NSIC All-Conference accolades and a second place finish in the men's weight throw with a toss of 18.27 meters at the NSIC Indoor Track and Field Championship.

UMD's first outdoor meet will take place on April 5 in Waverly, Iowa at the Wartburg Outdoor Select at Walston-Hoover Stadium.