I see plenty of predictions for the men's d3 individual/team contenders for cross country this fall.
What about the women's side? Anyone have any predictions?
I see plenty of predictions for the men's d3 individual/team contenders for cross country this fall.
What about the women's side? Anyone have any predictions?
One would have to assume that Amy Regan is the favorite to win NCAA's this year. She hasn't lost a cross country race since her freshman year! Of course, she didn't run cross her junior year, but that is besides the point..
She won XC nationals her sophomore year, won the 5k and 10k outdoors her junior year in dominating fashion (also over the defending xc champion from 2015).
That said, all top 4 finishers are returning this season. Of such includes Abrah Masterson (Cornell) who is a very talented runner, especially when it comes to distances 3k and up. Joining her is Olivia Mancl (Willamette) who has great range from 800ms through 6k as indicated by her 2:15 800m and her All-American accolades in cross. Workhorse Maya Weigel (Pomona-Pitzer), who ran like 800,000 races this outdoor season, has to be in the conversation. Though, she doesn't always pull out the win in close races, she is always in the mix. Then there is Hannah Cole (Williams) who avoids the track and strictly does cross country. She has never won a cross country race in her college career, but that can be attributed to her chasing the big dogs at large invitational and having a tough region. She has experience and grit.
If I had to put those four in order, it would go as such:
1. Amy Regan (Stevens Institute)
2. Abrah Masterson (Cornell)
3. Olivia Macl (Willamette)
4. Hannah Cole (Williams)
5. Maya Weigel (Pomona-Pitzer)
But those are just the returning top 4! We forget how the entire women's field crossed the finish line in a giant pack. So there were no clear winners like there were on the men's side.
So what was incredibly interesting about last year's finish was how everyone was in order of class. The top 4 finishers were Juniors,5-9 Seniors, and 5 of the next 6 were sophomores....WEIRD!
They are a talented bunch, as well. They mirror the rising senior class in terms of range and talent, as well. Though, they have better footspeed in their track resume. Especially in the 800m. If nationals goes out slow this year, I expect the now junior class to dominate. If it goes out hard from the gun, the now seniors will put on a clinic.
I predict training hard, partying hard, and lots of stressies.
Any darkhorses this year? I typically feel as though this normally does not happen all that often on the women's side. They tend to be rather consistent with their rankings.
That said..anyone that we may not know about that could contend?
CARLY
KRULL
Cassie vince
Jessie Cardin, 20th place at nationals and a 10:49 steeple, barely missing all american at nationals.
asdfadsg wrote:
CARLY
KRULL
5:36 miler on TFRRS? hmmmm
We are going to see a lot of hard runs, and even harder part-e'zzz