Should be a four man race.
UWL runners hardly ever idle around. Grant has shown in previous national champs (2025 3k, indoor 5k, 10k) he's willing to follow in Gregg's footsteps and be the guy who pushes the pace. I can't guarantee that in an XC race though where he's lost to two of the main contenders this year already. I still would bet on him making the first move.
Leblond and Bati haven't lost this year, and Isaac beat Grant pretty handily at Augustana. As far as history goes, Leblond is the most consistent national performer (going for his 4th XC AA, while no one else among top contenders has more than 1). I don't like Isaac's history (never been higher than 65th at nationals), but this definitely could be the year he figured it out.
Bati honestly has only ever had a big D3 performance one time: XC nationals 2024. But I expect he's figured out how to taper off those 150 mile weeks now.
Grant would have been my favorite entering the year, but the way he's lost to two of these guys it should be a tossup between these 4. I acknowledge that his North region loss may have just been him packing it in, but he was a pretty clear 2nd.