the 'NAU of Cambridge', denoted as such since they have the best academics in the greater Boston area (just like how NAU has the best academics in Flagstaff) will win
Haverford gets wrecked by graduation. They only return their #4 and #6 from nationals. Swarthmore & Moravian are far less affected as each only lose 1 from their top 5. It's gonna be a close one between the three of them.
Agreed. Lots of bad predictions. Here’s how I’d stack em up, assuming the committee doesn’t make bad decisions…
East: Just MIT & Bates. Committe must be putting 2 & 2 together realizing that this region sucks. Bowdoin is due for a good year but that doesn’t mean making nationals…
Mideast: RPI, Williams, Amherst & Middlebury: Solid bunch. SLU close but doesn’t make it.
Niagara: Just Genny. NYU had a good track season but I feel they don’t seem to put it together in cross.
Metro: Honestly Haverford or Swarthmore could make it, def a tough battle as the latter suffers less from graduation. Another weak region so the committee won’t bring two teams.
Mid-Atlantic: Agree with the guy. CMU & Hopkins and nobody else.
Great Lakes: Also gotta agree. The 5 teams he mentions all are strong contenders. Otterbein is questionable but they some solid 800m freshmen, it’ll be interesting to see if they can translate that to xc.
South: Lynchburg & Emory. No way W&L makes it. Emory has some graduation losses but they have solid coaching and a deep team that will fill in the ranks.
Midwest: Agreeing with him, Wartburg & Loras are gonna be very good and I do see U Chicago, North Central and the team with the best cheering section, Wash U will make it.
North: Whitewater, La Crosse, St. Olaf, Eau Claire, Stout. Expecting a strong year for this region, I wouldn’t sleep on Eau Claire considering they return a nationals finalist in steeplechase. Oshkosh barely doesn’t make it.
West: Should be a big year for them. PP, CMS, Santa Cruz, Colorado College and of course George Fox I think will all make it. Committee must realize how much they sleep on this region after cozying up to the east.
Haverford has been consistently "underperforming" for the past 4 years. This year we'll get to see if the big graduated class from last year was holding them back or if they'll choke earlier than nationals without their senior leadership.
GF and Cruz both underperformed in track this year. Might have a tougher time making it to nats.
GFU with 4 sub 15 returners plus 9:02 steepler plus 3:55 1500 guy... think they'll be just fine. Their star frosh didn't run well (seemed like he was hurt at the end of XC/into indoor maybe?) but the rest of their group improved from last years track season
maybe a bit more valid to question UCSC but that group always seems to just do better in XC
I just learned that NCC has 6 fifth years... all of those guys coming back... surely they have to be one of the favorites for taking the podium/title right?
Agreed. Lots of bad predictions. Here’s how I’d stack em up, assuming the committee doesn’t make bad decisions…
East: Just MIT & Bates. Committe must be putting 2 & 2 together realizing that this region sucks. Bowdoin is due for a good year but that doesn’t mean making nationals…
Mideast: RPI, Williams, Amherst & Middlebury: Solid bunch. SLU close but doesn’t make it.
Niagara: Just Genny. NYU had a good track season but I feel they don’t seem to put it together in cross.
Metro: Honestly Haverford or Swarthmore could make it, def a tough battle as the latter suffers less from graduation. Another weak region so the committee won’t bring two teams.
Mid-Atlantic: Agree with the guy. CMU & Hopkins and nobody else.
Great Lakes: Also gotta agree. The 5 teams he mentions all are strong contenders. Otterbein is questionable but they some solid 800m freshmen, it’ll be interesting to see if they can translate that to xc.
South: Lynchburg & Emory. No way W&L makes it. Emory has some graduation losses but they have solid coaching and a deep team that will fill in the ranks.
Midwest: Agreeing with him, Wartburg & Loras are gonna be very good and I do see U Chicago, North Central and the team with the best cheering section, Wash U will make it.
North: Whitewater, La Crosse, St. Olaf, Eau Claire, Stout. Expecting a strong year for this region, I wouldn’t sleep on Eau Claire considering they return a nationals finalist in steeplechase. Oshkosh barely doesn’t make it.
West: Should be a big year for them. PP, CMS, Santa Cruz, Colorado College and of course George Fox I think will all make it. Committee must realize how much they sleep on this region after cozying up to the east.
Really think Colorado College isn't gonna blow it again this year?
Haverford gets wrecked by graduation. They only return their #4 and #6 from nationals. Swarthmore & Moravian are far less affected as each only lose 1 from their top 5. It's gonna be a close one between the three of them.
Swat is losing their #1 and #2. I don't think those suckers will make it.