SAN BRUNO, Calif. -- The Gonzaga men's and women's cross country programs were picked third and fourth in the West Coast Conference preseason polls Thursday.

It marks the third straight season the GU men open the season at third in the poll, while the women received their highest preseason ranking in 11 years. The Gonzaga women also had a first place vote in the poll for the first time since 2005. The annual poll is selected by the conference's coaches.

Amelia Evans and Shelby Mills became only the third and fourth Zags all-time to appear on the All-WCC preseason team. Emily Thomas was the first in 2012, followed by Lauren Bergam in 2013. Evans finished 10th at the conference championships last season, while Mills crossed the line in seventh. Gonzaga finished fifth as a team.

The GU men, showing their balance, had no runners on the All-Conference preseason team. Troy Fraley, Kyle Branch and Danny Lunder all return after top-25 finishes at last season's WCC Championships. The Bulldog men came in third as a team.

BYU's women and men were both picked as the conference's preseason favorites. The women were selected to capture the title this season after seizing the over half of the first place votes. The men received six first place votes to Portland's three.

The BYU women collected 79 points including seven first place votes; however, not too far behind was Portland with 71 points and two first place votes. Loyola Marymount had 61 points. Gonzaga and San Francisco shared fourth place with 57 points. San Diego was chosen sixth with 39 points followed closely by Santa Clara (35). Rounding out the rankings were Saint Mary's (20), Pacific (18) and Pepperdine (13).

Five programs placed at least one student-athlete on the women's preseason All-West Conference Team. BYU and Loyola Marymount led the way each with three preseason picks. Gonzaga and Portland each have a pair, while San Francisco is also represented.

The Cougar men were selected as favorites over Portland as well. The Pilots posted a third place finish at the 2014 NCAA Championships, the best showing in program and conference history. BYU finished 16th.

BYU collected 62 points, while the Pilots had 59 points. Gonzaga earned 48 points for third, San Francisco followed with 40. Coming in fifth was Loyola Marymount with 32, with Santa Clara (30) and Saint Mary's (29) closely behind. Pacific earned 18 points and Pepperdine 13.

Three programs are represented by at least one student-athlete on the men's preseason All-West Coast Conference Team. BYU led the way once again with six preseason picks. Portland landed three representatives and Saint Mary's has one.

The 2015 WCC Preview races are set for Sept. 19 at Plantes Ferry Park in Spokane. The same course will serve as the site for the 2015 WCC Championship as well, scheduled for Oct. 31.

The Zags begin their seasons on Sept. 1, at the Clash of the Inland Northwest in Colfax, Wash.