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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Battlin’ Bears Women’s Basketball picked to finish second in Frontier Conference Preseason Poll

Spencer Martin
Editor’s Note: This is a release from RMC Sports Information. WHITEFISH, Mont., October 11, 2019 – Rocky Mountain earned a No. 2 ranking in the Frontier Conference Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Senior Markaela Francis was picked to the 2019-20 Frontier Conference Preseason All-Conference Team. The Battlin’ Bears earned 25 points in the poll and finished only behind Carroll College who earned 36 points and six first place votes. Rocky went 20-13 last season and ranked No. 20 in the 2018-19 NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Final Top 25 Poll. According to available records, it was the first time that the Battin’ Bears had back-to-back 20-win seasons in school history. Rocky’s season ended with a 65-57 loss to Shawnee State in the first round of the 2019 NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship. The Battlin’ Bears will return several key starters including second team all-conference forward Markaela Francis and the 2018-19 Frontier Conference Freshman of the Year, Kloie Thatcher. Francis was also one of five players picked to the 2019 Frontier Conference Preseason All-Conference Team today. The senior forward scored 370 points last season while recording 183 rebounds and 55 assists. University of Providence’s Emilee Maldonado was picked as the 2019-20 Frontier Conference Preseason Player of the Year. For more information regarding Rocky Mountain College athletics, visit gobattlinbears.com.