Pomona for the win. They have one of the deepest returning teams. 7 returners sub 15 with a crop of freshmen who could make the jump this summer. Incredible depth.
Owen Woo: 14:43, 30:11
Hugo Ward: 14:44, 30:49
Daniel Rosen: 14:50, 8:51 SC
Ethan Ashby: 14:54
Ethan Widlansky: 14:54
Jeremy Adams: 14:55, 31:04
Nathan Stringham: 14:56, 31:52
Followed by 4 more freshmen between 15:10 and 15:20.
Owen Keiser: 15:10, 9:28 SC
Oliver Chang: 15:15
Paul McKinley: 15:19
Liam Jones: 15:20
Also, a freshmen stud:
Dante Paszkeizc: no 5k, but 9:32 SC, 3:50 1500, and 1:51 800
Also, no one is talking about them, but RPI can be a potential podium threat. They were the recipient of getting trampled at Nationals this past fall and a number of their guys were negative effected by this in the race. They also have incredible depth returning with 7 guys returning under 15 minutes and possible better front runners compared to Pomona:
Noah Falasco: 14:26, 3:49
Henry Jaques: 14:28, 30:45
Joe Domanico: 14:54
Jake Kloman: 14:55, 31:11
Danny Napora: 14:56
John Reed: 14:58, 31:58
Erik LaCourt: 14:58, 9:37 SC
Jacob Davis: 31:17 (didn't run much this past outdoor season but was in their top 7 for XC)
Johnny Capobionco: 15:15, 9:28 SC
Evan Atherton: 15:20, 9:38 SC
I understand track is a different animal than cross country so this may not materialize on the cross country course, but lets look at what Wartburg brings back since they seem to be the number 1 pick right now:
Caleb Appleton, 14:33, 3:57
Sam Pinkowski, 14:34, 32:03, 3:54
Joe Freiburger, 14:37, 30:58
Liam Conroy, 15:04
Matt Heinzman, 15:08, 3:56
Alec Ille, 15:23
Ali Ali, 15:25, 3:59
RPI has the best 1-2 punch. Wartburg has the best 1-3 punch. Pomona has the best best depth and best returning 10k squad.
Have to look at what North Central brings back as they are the national dynasty right now:
Matt Osmulski, 14:45, 30:20
Al Baldonado, 14:51, 30:50
Gabriel Pommier, 14:55
Bjorn Shroda, 14:55, 31:17
Thomas Rohr, 14:57, 31:04
Alex Makrounis, 15:04, 31:20
Zachary Chapman, 15:06, 31:21
Wash U
Nick Matteucci, 14:27, 3:45
Joe Stover, 14:46, 31:35
Chas Warden, 14:56
Noah Trimark, 15:02
Patrick Norrick, 15:04, 31:51
Jacob Ridderhoff, 15:09
Scott Mitchell, 15:23
I personally like Pomona and RPI over Wartburg based on track times. A lot can happen over the summer and a lot can happen in the fall so it will be exciting to find out how all of this materializes on the cross country course. Wash U seems to peak well at the end of the season and bring back some great talent and depth, so they will be a podium contender, especially with Nick Matteucci as a front runner and the potential to be top 5. CMS also right there. And of course North Central always gets it done and brings back some pretty good depth.
My top 10 picks primarily based on track times:
1. Pomona
2. North Central
3. RPI
4. Wartburg
5. Wash U
6. CMS
7. Hopkins
8. La Crosse
9. Geneseo
10. Amherst