RIPON, Wis. - After finishing third in the Midwest Conference last season, including a berth in the conference semi-finals, the Red Hawks have a lot of returning players with game experience this year. Despite that, Ripon was selected fifth in the MWC preseason rankings, as released Thursday by the Midwest Conference.

St. Norbert, who is in search of a fifth consecutive conference title, was a near unanimous first place selection, receiving eight of the ten first place votes. The remaining votes were taken by Lawrence. Carroll and Lake Forest finished three and four, respectively, and were followed by the Red Hawks.

The second half of the poll was led off by Beloit in sixth place. The Buccaneers were followed by Grinnell, Monmouth, Knox, and Illinois College.

The Red Hawks kick off their season September 1st at Aurora College, before returning to Ripon for their home opener against Augustana.