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Top 25 DI Women's Cross Country Teams 10/27 - college.runnerspace.com Rankings.

Published by
DyeStatCOLLEGE.com   Oct 27th 2014, 11:12pm
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1. Michigan State - This deep group continued their season-long domination of teams at a deep Wisconsin Adidas. They dominated regional powers including Iowa State at Roy Griak after taking 5 of the first 22 spots.  The deepest and most experienced team (8 NCAA returners) in the women's competition. Preview -  Michigan State. They will attempt to defend title at Big 10.

2. ArkansasTheir rein of domination ended at Wisconsin Adidas and it was not close with their runner-up finish.  They have room for improvement behind Scott and Heymsfield.  Coach Harter will get them to peak for regionals and nationals.  This team could win it all.  Defending SEC title up next.

3. MichiganLost round 2 in battle against Georgetown at Pre-Nationals.  They will finally get to face their in-state rival and Wisconsin at the Big 10 Championships.  Handily won Battle in Beantown against Georgetown.  Preview - Michigan

4. Georgetown - Took round 2 in battle against Michigan at Pre-Nationals with close victory.  They defended their title from last year.  Used last meet likely to get ready for Pre-Nationals.  Preview - Georgetown.  They are a bigger favorite this year at Big East.

5. Oregon - Finished 2nd at Pre-Nationals and won Washington meet against Stanford team. #1 runner at 18th may cause problems later unless Baxter and Neer run.  Oregon ran tough enough at Pre-Nationals to indicate they could finish second at NCAAs with Baxter and/or Neer. Preview - Oregon.  Pac-12 is next.

6. Iowa StateCrystal Nelson created a surprise by winning Wisconsin Adidas.  Moen wasn't too far behind in 5th.  They led their team to a 3rd place finish.  The Cyclones need improvement from their #4-#5 runners, a situation which has already cost them two chances at challenging MSU. They were 2nd at Griak to MSU.  Preview -  Iowa State.  Good chance to get another Big-12 title.

7. New Mexico - They couldn't put two races together (6th at Wisconsin) but hard for anyone, see FSU.  Dominated Notre Dame with Arter at the front.  They could really challenge if '13 top runner Silva weren't redshirting.  They have a very good chance to repeat as Mt West champions.

8. Florida State - Florida State is running tired.  This strategy has worked in the past. This team has the pieces to get a trophy. Outside of Quigley, who has run very well, waiting for the rest of the team to race to potential.  Preview -  Florida State.  Virginia will battle them for ACC championship.

9. Virginia - NCAA veteran team (9th in 2013) looked solid early and dominated at Panorama Farms.  They must overcome their performance at Washington Invite at Wisconsin Adidas (9th).  In spite of unmet expectations lately they have had enough success and ability to qualify automatically or as an at-large.  On Friday they will face rival Florida State (team in the same boat) at the ACC championships.  Preview - Virginia

10. Wisconsin - Coach Byrne has been impressed with their improvement this year.  They have 6 returners from team that finished 21st at '13 NCAAs. They are a young team and did well at home meet to run fourth.  Preview - Wisconsin.  Improvement Byrne sees will be challenged by #1 MSU and #3 Michigan.

11. Stanford - Cranny ran well again at Wisconsin Adidas.  Group behind Cranny (4 freshman total) ran their best race at Washington XC Invitational, but not as well in Wisconsin (7th).  

12. West Virginia - They waited for Wisconsin Adidas to run hard and it payed off with a fifth place finish.  Sophomore Jillian Forsey helped push the pace and finished 11th as she has improved significantly this year (#2 Mountaineer at '13 NCAA championships).  Get another shot at Iowa State at Big 12.

 13. Colorado - Erin Clark ran great at Rocky Mountain Shootout and now Pre-Nationals.  They were well behind the top 3 teams at Pre-Nationals but all three teams came into the meeting in the top 6 nationally.  Without Verdon (?) and Nunn.  Pac-12 will be interesting.

14. Vanderbilt - A rebuilt line-up has brought them back to 2011 performances. 9th at Wisconsin Adidas with veterans.  They will battle Arkansas at SEC

15. Oklahoma State - Developed depth since last year to go with NCAA title contender Monika Juodeskaite.  Last year they had three freshmen in top 4.  2013 NCAA 1500 champion Pillusina was entered at the Bronco Invite but didn't run.  With her they could challenge for a trophy along with #3-#5 runner development.  Will battle Iowa State and West Virginia at Big 12.

16. North Carolina - Lehardy is not running as well as last year but team still finished 11th at Wisconsin Adidas.  They had a good front pack at Wisconsin and Roy Griak, #4-#5 not set up yet.  Preview -  North Carolina.  ACC championships are up next.

17. William & Mary - 27th at Wisconsin Adidas (without #1 runner Stites).  Most important is the Regional meet and that should be easy with their experience. Five returners from team that finished 12th last year.  Stites is getting better too, but didn't run at Wisconsin or they would have finished in top 10.  Can likely cruise through the Colonial Championship to ready themselves for Southeast Regional.

18. Syracuse - The Orange were not keep as tight a pack at Wisconsin adidas (12th) as when they were 3rd at Battle in Beantown with first five within :39.  Preview -  Syracuse.  They face two struggling, higher rated teams (FSU and Virginia) at ACC. 

19. Washington - They finished 13th at Wisconsin Adidas as #1 Meyers fell back to 37th after being up front early.  They finised 3rd at Washington Invitational. Still haven't run Nealle or Knight, top returners.  Four of their freshmen gained valuable experience at Wisconsin Adidas.  It will be an uphill battle at Pac-12 for the Huskies.

20. Villanova - Buttner ran well at Washington Invitational, team developing a good top 3 but not everyone running well at the same time. Ran at Princeton Invite. Preview -  Villanova.  They have a shot at Big East title.

21. Ohio State - They have run well all year.  14th at Wisconsin Adidas and won Bluegrass.  Katie Borchers is a strong #1 runner.  Buckeyes will battle against some very tough teams at Big 10 in MSU, Michigan, Wisconsin and others just outside of the Big 10.

22. Boise State - 17th at Wisconsin Adidas and fourth at Roy Griak.  Good 1-2 but need 4 and especially #5. #3-#7 are Sophomores or Freshmen.  Experience from racing will help at the end of the season.  

23. NC State - 5th at Pre-Nationals. Thompson is leading a good team that could move up with a good #5. One of five ranked teams headed to ACC. 

24. Princeton - Megan Curham challenged for the title at Pre-Nationals.  Team was 6th at Pre-Nationals, full team needs to move up.  Big East will provide plenty of competition.

25.  Baylor - They finished 7th at Pre-Nationals with a great win by Rachel Johnson.  She is a contender for the national title.  They were fifth at the deep Roy Griak meet.  They must develop depth behind Johnson to make NCAA meet.  Preview - Baylor.  Big 12 meet will be a good test for this team.  

 

Dartmouth - 19th at Wisconsin Adidas. Giordano is running well as #1, 2-4 doing well too but need #5.  They need a good performance from their #5 to make it past the Regional meet.

UCLA - They were 20th at Wisconsin Adidas.  They joined the men with a great meet in Seattle (4th).  Smith ran well in front and good pack behind them. Top 5 has 4 seniors.  

Boston College - 21st at Wisconsin Adidas.  Now have to rely on next two meets to make NCAA meet. Westphal won Battle in Boston but team finished fourth and 4-5 a concern.  

Butler - 29th at Pre-Nationals, team has likely left it to a top-2 performance at regionals.  Top team not running where they will at end of the season. Resulted in a disastrous 14th at Roy Griak.  They have Big East next and need to get it together for their regional meet to qualify for the NCAA meet again.

Providence - Still no Collins and probably trained through Wisconsin Adidas.  Freshman Lembo and Rocha are developing, but not a great performance by the team (24).  

 

Underlined Teams have preview articles hyperlinked

 

Because the objective is more than a month away, what happens during the season will not necessarily determine the winners at the end of the season.  Last season NCAA women's winner Providence was third at Wisconsin Adidas as Arizona won while Providence coach Treacy rested an injury-prone runner that proved to be pivotal at the NCAA championships.  My rankings are based on what teams are doing now and could or will do at the end of the season.  Based on the NCAA qualifying systems teams just need to run well enough during the season:

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