DENVER -- The Western Athletic Conference announced their preseason poll and all-WAC team today, with Rainbow senior Gregg Omori slated as the top first baseman in the conference. Hawai`i was picked to take fifth in the conference by the poll that was taken from the six WAC coaches.

"I really don't put much into preseason polls," UH head coach Mike Trapasso said. "I'd rather wait and see where we end up at the end of the year. But fifth is right about where I saw our team being picked, so I'm not surprised."

Rice was selected as the favorite in the WAC for the sixth year in a row, with their senior third baseman, Hunter Brown, being slated as the preseason Player of the Year. Bob Runyon, of Fresno State, was picked the preseason Pitcher of the Year.

"The one positive thing was seeing a deserving player like Gregg Omori get recognition," added Trapasso. "I'm glad that people are starting to realize how good of a player he really is."

2002 WAC Baseball Coaches' Poll
1. Rice
2. Fresno State
3. Nevada
4. San Jose State
5. Hawai'i
6. Louisiana Tech

Preseason All-WAC Team
OF Austin Davis, So., Rice
OF Chris Dickerson, Sr., Nevada
OF A.J. Porfirio, Sr., Rice
OF Tobey Riday-White, Sr. Fresno State
1B Gregg Omori, Sr., Hawai'i
2B Gabe Lopez, Sr., San Jose State
SS Jose Enrique Cruz, So., Rice
3B Hunter Brown, Sr., Rice
C Adam Shorsher, Sr., San Jose State
UTI Cullen Simmons, Sr., Louisiana Tech
DH Ben Fritz, Jr., Fresno State
SP Mateo Miramontes, So., Nevada
SP Darrell Rasner, Jr., Nevada
SP Bob Runyon, Sr., Fresno State
RP Ben Fritz, Jr., Fresno State

Player of the Year
Hunter Brown, Sr., Rice

Pitcher of the Year
Bob Runyon, Sr., Fresno State