Reproduced below is Stanford's XC roster together with credentials. I took this from LetsRun's Pac10 preview.
What strikes me about this list is the phenomenal depth of talent as measured by past performance on the roster especially in the freshman and sophomore classes (look at all the Footlocker performers).
Oregon and maybe one or two other state universities arguably have comparable talent. However, Stanford is private and cost in excess of $50k per year to attend. Even if they give all their XC/track scholarships to middle/long-distance runners, there simply are not enough scholarships to go around. So, how in the hell are they convincing so many of the nation's best to come and incur the cost/debt that is an integral part of a Stanford education?
In an attempt to provide full disclosure, I'm a big Stanford fan although I never ran for them. I have a graduate degree from Stanford but only pulled it off by getting a lot of scholarships.
Stanford (2008 - 2nd) In 2009 - 1st Stanford, 1st Pre-Nationals White
Appel, Evan (freshman - 4:15, 9:07, FL All-American)
Berberick, Andrew (freshman - 1:52, 4:14, 8:33 3,000, FL finalist)
Chapin, Ramsey (freshman - 1:53, 3:54 1,500)
Derrick, Chris (3rd PAC-10 2008, 2nd returner, 7th NCAA 2008 - All American)
Ferris, Dylan (RS freshman - 1:49, 4:06)
Gregg, Brendan (24th PAC-10 2008, 13th returner, 198th NCAA 2008)
Havel, Kevin (freshman - 4:14, 8:59, FL All-American)
Heath, Elliott (20th PAC-10 2008, 9th returner, 112th NCAA 2008)
Johnson, Benjamin (RS freshman - 9:07 steeplechase, FL All-American, 3rd NTN)
Marpole-Bird, Justin (73rd PAC-10 2008, 47th returner)
Porter, Thomas (freshman - 4:10, 8:59 2 mile, 15:01, FL All-American)
Riley, Jake (7th PAC-10 2008, 3rd returner, 55th NCAA 2008)
Stutzman, Tyler (freshman - 1:52, 4:07, 9:03)
Sullivan, J.T. (48th PAC-10 2008, 29th returner)
Sullivan, Riley (RS freshman - 4:12, 8:56, FL finalist)
Unterreiner, Miles
Valdes, Ryan (freshman - 1:53, 4:12)
Valdes, Tyler (freshman - 1:54, 4:09, 9:14)