It could be a close one again, but I'd say this time St. Olaf is clearly the one to beat.
St. Olaf only loses their #3, but gains a new stud in Paul Escher, who was 2nd in the 1500 in 3:48.12.
#1 Grant Wintheiser was 3rd two consecutive years and the top returning runner, with close competition from Kelleher, Padgett and Horton. 4th in 1500, 14:14 5000, I think he can make another big jump though.
#2 Jake Brown (4th in team scoring) was XC skiing through most of track, ran a 9:09 steeple and should be solid.
#3 Jake Campbell (21st) ran 14:37 5K and could have probably gone faster but was focusing on the 1500 (3:50.60).
#4-6 Paul Escher 3:48 1500
Calvin Lehn (46th) - Dealt with an injury in XC, MIA in track, so is the one wild card in question.
Philip Meyer (50th) ran a 31:06 10K, 4:02 1500. He will likely be a solid #4-6 guy throughout the season.
#6-7 slots likely filled by Dillon Davis (91st) (9:24 Steeple), Joe Coffey (4:02) or a freshman.
North Central loses FOUR of their top five with #1-3 in Crain, Klein and Hird and #5 Root, a pretty big deal. But other guys always seem to step it up, and they just have so many runners and loads of recruits and obviously one of the best coaches in D3 history.
#1 Troy Kelleher (23rd) is the top returnee, and broke through big in track with a 29:55 10K and beat Wintheiser to the line at Drake in 14:14.
#2 Travis Morrison - 30:28 10K
7 solid guys to fill out the remaining spots, plus whatever studs they recruit.
Ben Dickshinski (139) - 14:30 5000, 30:35 10K
Aron Sebhat (122) - 3:52 1500
Ethan Adlfinger - 9:15 steeple
Kevin McMahon - 30:46 10K
Tim Vazquez - 31:03 10K
Brent Gaither - 9:19 steeple
Matt Muth - 3:52 1500