NAIA Top 25 wrote:
The Master’s didn’t look as good as I thought they would either. The 2024 team ran so much better at the Biola meet. Looks like there will be some big movement in the next rankings.
I didn’t think they looked great, but they weren’t too disappointing. Nothing to be too concerned about this early. Brogan Collins looks like the real deal and Jack Anderson is back after a rough track season.
My concern is the same as always, just that they never seem to run as well as their mid season races suggest when it really matters at nationals.
Who do you think looks much better? Based only one results we have so far IWU looks to be #1, but I think the Masters has more talent if they put it all together on the right day
I’m still not out on Taylor and Marian after getting beat at IWU. We know both of those teams have a lot of talent and they finished in the top ten a year ago.
Goshen was also without Anthony Roberts, however I think they’re still a long way from being a title contender.
Embry-Riddle’s times aren’t blowing anyone away, but they’ve looked pretty impressive to start the year.
SCAD Atlanta didn’t race Braddock, and Aldahair isn’t even on the roster anymore.
Montreat didn’t race Lille, but Ronald Way looked great. Lauer still isn’t impressing me too much on the grass but there’s a lot of time left for that to change.
Milligan didn’t look as scary as recent years (maybe didn’t race everyone?).
Cumberlands looked pretty disappointing to begin the year.
College of Idaho doesn’t look bad by any means given what they returned, but they’re not going to reload and repeat. They could be a really tough team next year though.
Glen Davis isn’t back at Spring Arbor, which knocks them back a peg in my opinion.
Also Madeo posted that he’d be leaving Adams State, but is finishing his academic semester there (not competing). He didn’t mention that he’d be back at Cumberlands, but that could be true if we’re hearing rumors of it. Regardless, he very likely won’t be competing anywhere this XC season.