Vikings Picked to Repeat as Conference Champs
 
(Sioux City, IA) – Dana College is the GPAC Softball Coaches’ pick to win the 2007 league title. The Vikings, who are coming off a 43-10 (20-2 in conference) season in 2006, totaled 143 points in the balloting. Dana received eleven first place votes. Northwestern was in second placed with 129 votes (1 first place vote) and Morningside finished third with 122 points (1 first place vote).
           
The GPAC softball season will once again consist of 24 games and conclude with the GPAC Postseason Tournament on May 3-4 in Sioux City, Iowa, at SYA Softball Complex. The NAIA Region III Tournament will be hosted by the Dakota Athletic Conference on May 9-11 at a location yet to be determined.
 
Points were assigned on a 12-1 basis and coaches’ could not vote for their own team.
Here is the complete GPAC Softball 2007 preseason coaches’ poll:

“We are honored to be picked by our peers to repeat as conference champs,” commented Head Coach Marcy Roff. “However, it is a new season and we have to catch the ball, hit the ball, and score runs in order to do anything. Rankings are great because it means there is a respect for the program, but you still have to play the game. We are looking forward to the challenge!”
 
Dana College will open its season on the road at the Evangel Tournament in Springfield, Missouri. Dana is slated to face off against Oklahoma Christian in the tournaments first game at 9:00 am. The Vikings will embark on their home season on Wednesday, February 28 against the College of St. Mary. First pitch against the Flames is scheduled for 5:00pm.
 
For more information, contact:Shad Beam, sports information director, (402) 426-7389, sbeam@dana.edu
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Scott Guzinski, assistant Sports Information Director, (402) 426-7949, sguzinsk@dana.edu