After reviewing the 2006 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championship results, I would like to put forth my 2007 Predictions and assessments:
Iona is in prime position to reign supreme in 2007, as they return all top five Gaels, and who knows what other foregin recruits may venture onto campus, as well as the development of the current crop of Africans.
Wisconsin will once again run bridesmaid after losing Nelson and Solinsky. Withrow will be a legitimate candidate for the individual title, while Eagon and Wagner will continue to improve and welcome in another stellar recruiting class (minus those that redshit).
The magic of Lannana. Oregon will take the bronze behind Rupp's individual victory. With the Mercado's and AJ Nation in '07, along with Shadrack, Lannana is already reviving the Duck Dominance of the past. Oregon is the new Stanford, who, by the way, is the biggest loser in 2007.
Not only in graduates, but they will begin losing recruits, as the blue-chippers are going to want to eiter attend Colorado, Wisconsin, or Oregon. Watch for the Cardinal to fall from Cross Country grace...
Providence. Yes, Providence. Even with the loss of their leader, Fagan, Providence's foreigners will build on the success in 2006.
Top five for Louisville? What, is their XC team copying the football program? How about basketball? Louisville is a legit candidate for a top five finish. They return six out of their top seven. And with Coach Mann at the helm, they will be prepared. Greatest gainer in the stock market.
Colorado will drop somewhat. The magic will wear away after '06, but Wetmore is going to have to pick and choose from the plethora of high school seniors wanting to waltz onto Boulder and lay claim to another future national championship. The reason for the short-term demise is that their inherint number one is now a Miler, Stephen Pifer. How can the young Buff's look up to a Miler to lead them in distance? Oh, wait, that is the predicament for a team that will fall outside the top ten in 2007, Texas. Their incumbant number one is also a miler, in Manzano. But that's another story..
Look for Oklahoma State to make another top ten finish. The Cowboys are such solid championship performers. They lose their bookends, but their core is solid.
William & Mary ran stellar in 2006, and look for them to repeat in 2007. Ladndry leads a team with with gaining experience and a proven formula.
Everyone complains of NC State's under-achieving performances through the years. However, look for the Wolfpack to finally break through with a top ten finish in 2007, led by a very experienced (and red-shirted) squad.
Arkansas rounds out the Top Ten with a young squad. Look for this team to learn from its mistakes and run strong again as many harriers become eligible and new foreigners and transfers take root.
Texas will be lead by middle distancemen, but they will once again have a formidable recruiting class. Watch out for the Longhorns in '07.
BYU only loses their now legendary leader, Rohatinsky. Everyone else is back, minus loses to missions, but with the missions come returnables to the lineup.
UCLA should improve by a good ten spots in '07. The Shackletons lead a young squad that only loses one of their top seven.
Cal Poly will hold steady in 2007 with another very young squad and another proven formula. They just need to get some big at-large points at Pre-Nats like in '06.
Finally, look for Notre Dame to take a step closer to the golden dome of the top ten. Losing Benninger is huge, but they bring back a solid squad and always have strong recruits. Hope for the Irish to beat USC to improve recruiting for the future..
2007 NCAA Division I Cross Country Predictions:
1. Iona
2. Wisconsin
3. Oregon
4. Providence
5. Louisville
6. Colorado
7. Oklahoma State
8. William & Mary
9. NC State
10. Arkansas
11. Texas
12. BYU
13. UCLA
14. Cal Poly
15. Notre Dame