Division-I XC Rankings

How did you do in your time spent studying at the university level in a foreign language half way around the world? Ignorant American.

Providence, top 8

I got Princeton at #32! What about the 'Cuse, where they at?

Colorado, top 3. U heard it here first.

NCAA pre-season top 10

1. Oklahoma State- 8th at 08 NCAA XC

Returns Fernandez, Kosgei, Lowe, Chirchir, and Watts from 08 top 7

All eyes will once again be on OSU. After much hype the Cowboys flamed out at NCAA's last year highlighted by German's DNF. Just with their returning roster they would be a top 5 team in 09 but add in transfer Girma Mesecho and they will be fighting for the win. Much like Oregon's squad last year OSU could have 3 in the top 10. After the top 3, Chirchir, Watts, Ryan Prentice and 14:01 5ker Sean Flemming provide amazing depth. If Dave Smith lets his top 3 run hard from the gun and his 4-7 execute his typical run from the back strategy the Cowboys could win it all in 09. If his top 3 go out slow like last year and get caught too far back like Ryan Vail did someone else could walk away from Terre Haute with the trophy.

2. Stanford- 3rd at 08 NCAA XC

Returns Derrick, Riley, E. Heath, and Gregg from 08 top 7.

Stanford returns a young and talented squad that is looking to move up from a 3rd place finish a year ago. Derrick, Riley, and Heath make up what could be the best young top 3 in the NCAA. Derrick should be top 5 with Riley and Heath following closely within the top 30. Anytime your projected 3rd man was 5th at the 5k at NCAA's you're looking solid. If Ben Johnson, Miles Unterreiner, and Kevin Havel can make a jump Stanford could be the favorite come November.

3. Oregon- 1st at 08 NCAA XC

Returns Puskedra, Centrowitz, Diego Mercado, Klotz, and Wheating from 08 top 7.

The defending champion Ducks return 5 of their top 7 from last year. Add in sub 4 milers A.J. Acosta and Jordan McNamara as well as Danny Mercado, Diego's twin, and Oregon may have the deepest roster in the NCAA. The middle distance heavy Ducks may be relying too heavily on milers this year. Will Acosta, Centrowitz, Wheating, and McNamara stay healthy enough to be effective cross country runners? Each has struggled with injuries and two of this group will need to be top 50 at the NCAA meet in order for Oregon to three-peat. Puskedra looks like a lock for top 10 but after that there are a lot of question marks.

4. Northern Arizona- 6th at 08 NCAA XC

Returns McNeill, Ashkettle, Estrada, and Pedersen from 08 top 7

The Lumberjacks were a bit of a surprise finishing 6th lat year but they won't sneak up on anyone this year. Led by NCAA 5k runner up David McNeill, NAU is looking to get onto the podium. Ashkettle and Estrada were 49th and 60th respectively at NCAA's last year and look for both to improve upon that, especially Estrada. Add in Ahmed Osman who was 9th at the NCAA 10k and NAU's top 4 looks stellar. They don't have a ton of depth but training in Flagstaff makes these guys tough and I have no doubt that someone outside of their top 4 will step up when it counts.

5. Auburn- 5th at 08 NCAA XC

Returns Kibet, Kibioywo, Pierre-Weerts, Novack, Matthews, and Peake from 08 top 7

I am assuming that the rumors are true that Girma Mesecho has transferred to Oklahoma State, as he is not on Auburn's roster. With Girma they could be the favorite. Without him they may be one short. Their 5th man was an issue up until the NCAA meet last year. Novack and Matthews really stepped up when it counted but will it happen again? Ben Cheryiuot, a third of Auburn's Kenyan contingent ran 14:19 on the track last year so he could be the one to fill that 5th spot. The top 4 is incredible and look for Pierre-Weerts to make a jump. He finished just 97th last year but has run some great times on the track. I am worried about him because he raced on the track in Europe over the summer but there is plenty of time to get in the miles. The Tigers are also dealing with a coaching change as Mark Carroll takes over. Carroll is a great runner himself but can he coach? I guess we will see. Kibet, Kibioywo, and Pierre-Weerts could all finish in the top 40 and that type of front running goes a long way when fighting for a podium position.

6. Colorado- 12 at 08 NCAA XC

Returns Kyle, Medina, Neuman, Tebo, and Thompson from 08 top 7

A 12th place finish is considered an off year in Boulder. This years team should improve upon that finish. The biggest key will be a healthy Kenyon Neuman. He's run 13:42 for 5k and when healthy could finish in the top 25. Medina, Kyle and Tebo are all sub 14 5kers and Andy Wacker ran 14:06 last spring. Wetmore's crew does not normally have 2 disappointing showings in a row so top 10 seems like a lock. How high they can finish depends on the health of Medina, Neuman, and Tebo. That is a talented trio that could lead the Buffs to a podium finish.

7. Georgetown- 10th at 08 NCAA XC

Returns Bumbalough, Miller, Krisch, Taye, and Grimes from 08 top 7

The Hoyas have been underachievers at the NCAA meet for 5 years now. Last years 10th place showing was solid but for this talented group it was not enough. Bumbalough leads an experienced squad and should finish in the top 10. Miller, Krisch, and Taye are All-American candidates but all 3 need to put it together on the same day. Miller is a returning All-American with a 13:56 5k pr, Krisch has run 28:58 for 10k and Taye ran well last XC season up until NCAA's, so the talent is there. 4:01 miler Sandy Roberts redshirted last fall and should step in and make an impact. Freshman Andrew Springer, he of a 4:02 mile, could be in the top 7 if he does not redshirt. After Bumbalough there are a lot of questions but this is a talented group and top 4 is realistic on a good day.

8. Wisconsin- 4th at 08 NCAA XC

Returns Peacock, Miller, Bolas, and Gasper from 08 top 7

Wisconsin transitioned well under first year coach Mick Byrne. This years team lost a lot to graduation but deep recruiting classes each of the last two years should soften the blow. Peacock, Miller, and Bolas should provide veteran leadership to the young Badgers that will need to transition quickly to college running. True freshmen Mohammed Ahmed and Reed Connor will need to make an impact right away if Wisconsin is to finish on the podium again. Redshirt freshmen Maverick Darling and Rob Finnerty have a year of training in Madison under their belts and will provide necessary depth. I don't see them finishing in the top 5 but there is a lot of talent there. People seem to forget that Finnerty ran 4:01 in high school.

9. Virginia- 14th at 08 NCAA XC

Returns Heineking, Collins, Tribble, and Miller from 08 top 7

UVA returns a great group that was much improved under first year coach Jason Vigilante. I have heard that USA 1500 finalist Andrew Jesien is done running. It's too bad as he could have pushed UVA up a tier. Heineking and Collins lead this team and both could finish in the top 25. Tribble and Miller look to be 3rd and 4th on the team with 14:07 and 14:11 5k pr's. After that there are a slew of unproven xc runners with solid track times that should round out the top 7. Sean Keveren over came injuries to finish 2nd in the 5k at the Pan Am Jr. Championships, Steve Finley ran 8:42 in the steeple, and Sintayehu Taye ran 3:47 in the 1500. Vig has never put a huge emphasis on XC but with the talent in Charlottesville they should still be a top 10 team.

10. Providence- 20th at 08 NCAA XC

Returns McCarthy, McLaren, Carey, Channon, Anderson, and Hankinson from 08 top 7

Providence has a very young team and a year of training should have them ready to make a big jump. David McCarthy will be fighting for a top 10 finish after running 13:42 on the track this spring. Sophomores Lee Carey and Dominic Channon have a year of training under Ray Treacy and should be the teams 2nd and 3rd runners. Each were huge studs in high school and Channon ran great on the track including a 7:58 3k. 3:57 miler Hayden McLaren will look to rebound after a sub-par 08 XC campaign. The Friars also have Julian Matthews who ran 3:46 in the 1500 as a true freshmen. Much like Oregon, Providence will be relying on milers who are relatively unproven in cross country. Unlike Oregon 2 of their milers are not sub 14 5kers like Centro and Acosta are. Providence should make a big jump this fall but may be a year away from truly joining the nations elite.

Knocking on the door: Tulsa, Alabama, Florida St., Louisville, Iowa St., Minnesota, Iona, and Cal Poly

1. Oregon

2. Stanford

2. Wisconsin

3. OSU

4. Auburn

5. Iona

6. Northern Arizona

7. Indiana State

8. New Mexico

9. Colorado

10. Minnesota

11. Alabama

12. Providence

13. Butler

14. Northern Iowa

15. Virginia

16. Washington

17. Colorado State

18. Harvard

19. Notre Dame stinks

20. Arkansas

Folks should at some point in their lives learn how to observe accurately and think clearly.

1) If German hadn't crashed they would have gotten third. So please get your recollection fixed.

2) OSU does not run together as one group. Usually two or three depending on the roster. Their tail enders are not trying to keep up with the Vails and Fernandez' of the world. Nor are Vail, Fernandez et al staying back for their 5, 6, 7 runners. Again, please observe accurately.

3) Same thing for training. If you think that their top guns are running the same workouts at the same pace as the rest you really aren't paying attention.

4) OK, this is for a whole lot of folks in the LetsRun crowd. Say this slowly and repeat it every day until it sinks in: The optimal race strategy is an even pace. There is no reason to run your 1st 1k faster than your 2nd 1k (or your 3rd...). This is what Smith teaches his team. This is what they execute. This makes total sense. And if the pack goes out too fast, let them go. Last year Fernandez was in position for a 3rd place finish if he didn't get injured, Kosgei and Vail finished about where they should have. So the entire top tier ran to expectations (barring an injury which I'm hoping you are bright enough to not blame on the day's race srategy).

Now, as far as OK State winning it all this year: No way without Vail or Girma. Some chance with one of them. And definitely the favorite with both of them. Unfortunately, I have no inside info regarding the eligibility of either of them.

[quote]Brennan Huff wrote:

NCAA pre-season top 10

1. Oklahoma State- 8th at 08 NCAA XC

After much hype the Cowboys flamed out at NCAA's last year highlighted by German's DNF.

If Dave Smith lets his top 3 run hard from the gun and his 4-7 execute his typical run from the back strategy the Cowboys could win it all in 09.

What the heck are you talking about.

Stanford, and other teams have a good chance to upstage Oregon. But not OSU.

does Michigan have a chance to make the top 20?

10. Providence- 20th at 08 NCAA XC

Returns McCarthy, McLaren, Carey, Channon, Anderson, and Hankinson from 08 top 7

Providence has a very young team and a year of training should have them ready to make a big jump. David McCarthy will be fighting for a top 10 finish after running 13:42 on the track this spring. Sophomores Lee Carey and Dominic Channon have a year of training under Ray Treacy and should be the teams 2nd and 3rd runners. Each were huge studs in high school and Channon ran great on the track including a 7:58 3k. 3:57 miler Hayden McLaren will look to rebound after a sub-par 08 XC campaign. The Friars also have Julian Matthews who ran 3:46 in the 1500 as a true freshmen. Much like Oregon, Providence will be relying on milers who are relatively unproven in cross country. Unlike Oregon 2 of their milers are not sub 14 5kers like Centro and Acosta are. Providence should make a big jump this fall but may be a year away from truly joining the nations elite.

Very correct assessment.

Depending on whether Auburn lost Girma to OSU, Auburn could be in contention to make the podium. Does anyone know for sure where he is running next year?

don't sleep on the tide for top 10:

David:13:30's

Bor: 13:40's

Kirwa: 14:00

Samoei: 3:58 mile

Bor2: 3:58 mile

Gibbs: 3:41 1500

New guy from kenya kiptoo?

No W&M really? Thats the first idiotic thing I see.

watch OSU win it this year...

14. Northern Iowa

wtf?? lol Northern Iowa top 15 my a55 lol

dont think Mark Carroll will recruit any young Irish this year not much talent there,he just missed the boat with Craig Murphy (48th World Junior X, 14.20's 5k kid) who has signed for Iona a freshman this year.The kid signed with Iona before Carroll got Auburn job,both are from same area in Ireland.

Minnesota won't get out. Ok State will take 1 auto and Tulsa the other. They only have Mead!

According to this story, Vail is returning for a final season. No mention of Girma.

http://www.stillwater-newspress.com/osusports/local_story_243002620.html

Vail's bio shows only two races his soph year of XC, the second being the early-season Cowboy Jamboree where he was 8th. No racing after that indicates injury to me. He did NOT run in Big 12 that year, thus has only competed in 3 full seasons - they likely petitioned the NCAA for a 6th yr of XC eligibility on that platform, that he only ran a small percentage of the season (usually has to be under 25% of competition) and received a medical redshirt for Ryan, which you can do if the total seasons are 6 or less.

Looks like OSU is a definite #1 on paper - looking forward to seeing how they put it together...but of course, XC cannot be well-predicted.