Iona Impresses at Paul Short

Published by Adam Schneider/DyeStatCOLLEGE.com Editor on October 4th, 2016

With a historic performance at the Paul Short Run (all five runners under 24:00 for 8K) Iona took over the men's rankings. The Gaels have a strong history of winning trophies at the NCAA championships and almost trophied last year (fifth) in spite of injury issues throughout the season.

Oregon's top four ran better than last season at the Washington Invitational. The Ducks sit at the No. 2 spot because their #2 and #3 runners from last year (Travis Neuman and Jake Leingang) are slowly rounding into shape. This team is stronger than last year and it could battle for a national title. 

Several teams have still not used their top runners or made it clear whether they will redshirt key personnel. Stanford and Colorado have held out their top two runners so far and while Colorado has run John Dressel and Ben Saarel as unattached competitors, Stanford's Sean McGorty and Grant Fisher have not raced yet. 

1. Iona - Even with health issues affecting them for much of last year the Gaels almost trophied with their fifth place finish. Iona returns their top three and four of their top five. Juniors Gilbert Kirui (20th) and Chartt Miller (43rd) led Iona at the NCAA meet. At the Marist Invitational Marist beat Iona 21 to 42 as the Gaels did not run any of their top seven. The Gaels were sixth at home in the Br. Doyle Meet of Champions on Sept. 16 and again did not run anyone in the top seven. Iona ran their top 7 at the Paul Short Run on October 1st and dominated the competition (34 to 115 for Georgetown and 142 for Adams State). The Gaels took five of the first 12 spots and six of the first 23. Iona put five runners under 24:00 (#1 to #5 gap was :19). Clements led Iona with a second place finish (23:37.4). Last year only Villanova’s Patrick Tiernan and Jordan Williamsz and Georgetown’s Jonathan Green broke 24:00. Next for Iona is the Metropolitan Championship on October 7th. (5) 

2. Oregon - Senior Edward Cheserek will attempt to be the first to win four NCAA cross country titles. Last year Cheserek spent extra time working with and mentoring his teammates to win a trophy and the Ducks were fourth at the NCAA meet last year. Most of their depth (Nos. 2 - 5 and 7) is back as junior Travis Neuman was 46th (he missed the track season due to injury), senior Jake Leingang was 50th, sophomore Tanner Anderson was 56th, and sophomore Matthew Maton was 85th. They all return, as does Ryan Gill, contributors in juniors Blake Haney and Sam Prakel, and potential freshmen contributors Levi Thomet, Jack Yearian, Austin Tamagno and Jackson Mestler and senior transfer Tom Gorman. Coach Andy Powell is looking for his first NCAA cross country title since Galen Rupp was on the roster. Neuman is a question mark after his injury. The Ducks edged Portland 28 to 29 in their season opener at the Bill Dellinger Invitational on Sept. 16th as Oregon went 1-2 with Prakel and Anderson. In his debut Cheserek (23:06.3) made a big move with 1000m to go and dominated (nearly a :19 victory) the Washington Invitational on Oct. 1. Oregon took four of the first six spots as Prakel was next for the Ducks in 23:27.3. Oregon’s first four was better than last year (#2 to #4 gap for Oregon was :04). Potential #2s Neuman and Leingang are not as healthy as last year at this time. Tamagno, Thomet and Mestler ran unattached and went 1-2-3 at Chuck Bowles Invitational. Next for Oregon is Pre-Nationals on October 15th.  (2)

3. Syracuse - Juniors Justyn Knight (4th at 2015 NCAA XC) and Colin Bennie (8th) lead this year after the graduation of Martin Hehir (9th). Junior Philo Germano (39th) and senior Joel Hubbard (47th) also return.  Syracuse is looking for depth and at least a No. 5 runner from last year’s transfer Adam Palamar (13:59 5k) and this year’s transfers, senior Adam Visokay from Virginia and sophomore Iliass Aouani from Lamar. Visokay (222nd) and Aouani (185th) ran at the NCAA meet but will need to improve to help the Orange. Coach Chris Fox is very good at recruiting and training runners for a tough 10,000m course. Between redshirts and none of the top five, Syracuse took the first eight spots at the Harry Lang Invitational. Freshman Griff Molino (20:09) led what may be the junior varsity. The Orangemen dominated the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Classic on Sept. 10 running everyone except Knight and Bennie. Aouani led the team in his debut over the 5.2-mile course (26:18). At the Virginia Panorama Farms Invitational on Sept. 23 the Orangemen lost to BYU, 39 to 44. Knight won the race but the rest of the team did not run as well as last year. The fastest average time still went to Syracuse (23:58 to 24:02 for BYU) and if there were more teams, in the race, Syracuse would have won. This team did not peak in Virginia but they are not as strong as last year. Syracuse races in three weeks at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational on October 14th. (1)

4. Northern Arizona - Until last year the Lumberjacks had not missed out on a trophy since 2011. The 2016 roster starts with 10,000m list leader and NCAA runner-up senior Futsum Zeinasellasie, who was third at the 2014 NCAA cross country championships, senior Nathan Weitz was 118th (76th in 2013), and junior Andy Trouard has been hampered by the injury bug but he has shown he can contribute when he is healthy. Junior Cory Glines and sophomores Tyler Day and Jeff Miller developed during the cross country season (8th at the Mountain regional) and junior Matthew Baxter developed during the track season. Glines, Day and Baxter all nearly qualified for the NCAA meet in the 10,000m. With this being the last season for coach Eric Heins and the first season for the former Georgetown coach Michael Smith, this team will be inspired to succeed. The Lumberjacks took five of the first six spots at the George Kyte Classic on Sept. 3 and they beat Arizona State 20-43 without four of their expected top five runners. Northern Arizona ran all but their top three at the Sycamore Invitational on Sept. 10 but still dominated led by Baxter (25:01.3) and Glines (25:06.5) as the Lumberjacks gained experience on the NCAA course. Northern Arizona will next race at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational on October 14th. (3)

5. BYU - Coach Ed Eyestone returns three of his top four but he always has more talent ready to run. The Cougars can never be counted out. Last year they finished 12th led by sophomore Dallin Farnsworth (74th last year) and junior Connor McMillan (84th). BYU easily won the Autumn Classic on Sept. 3. The Cougars won the Virginia/Panorama Farms Invitational on Sept. 23 with a solid pack up front. They put 7 runners between places four and 19 (four in the top nine) led by senior Nicolas Montanez (fourth) and sophomore Clayton Young (fifth). Next for BYU is the Steve T Reeder Memorial Invitational on October 7th. (4)

6. Arkansas -  The Razorbacks return two finishers (two of their top three) from the top 40 at the NCAA meet, junior Jack Bruce (23rd) and senior Frankline Tonui (40th). They also have five of their top 7 with juniors Austen Dalquist (89th) and Alex George (176th) and senior Christian Heymsfield (170th) returning from the meet last year. Sophomore Andrew Ronoh ran 28:36.20 for 10,000m last year and should contribute among the top three for the Razorbacks. Arkansas did not run its top seven and lost to Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Tulsa at the Cowboy Duals on the 5000m course. The Razorbacks (61) were third to Dartmouth (40) and Providence (50) at the Battle in Beantown on Sept. 16. George won the race ahead of Tonui (8th). Arkansas ran without four of the top seven as the team is in a hard training phase.  Arkansas easily won the Chile Pepper Festival on Oct. 1 and beat Wichita State 32 to 115. George and Tonui went 2-3 in the race and the #1 to #5 gap was :33. Next for the Razorbacks is Pre-Nationals on October 15th.  (7)

7. Stanford - Last spring senior Sean McGorty took another step in his development on the track after finishing seventh at the NCAA cross country championships. Sophomore Grant Fisher was 17th and the No. 2 freshman in the race. Junior Garrett Sweatt was 69th last year as fellow juniors Sam Wharton (207th) and Jack Keelan (231st) did not run as well as in 2014 (39th and 100th respectively). It seems likely though that the pace this year will push harder than in 2014. There is a lot of talent on the roster and they will push each other. Three of the Cardinal top seven (Sweatt, Wharton and Keelan) ran as a pack at the San Francisco Invitational and they were fourth. Also, expect Alex Ostberg to make some noise. At the Virginia/Panorama Farms Invitational on Sept. 23 Stanford ran without McGorty and Fisher and finished fifth. Veterans  Sweatt (10th) and Wharton (17th) led an inexperienced team in Virginia. Freshman Thomas Ratcliffe ran unattached at the Stanford Invitational on October 1st and won in 23:17, faster than Grant Fisher (23:33) ran last year.   (9)  

8. Colorado - Senior Ben Saarel will likely be back to Top 10 form this year and with sophomore John Dressel (26th) they have a strong 1-2 punch. The Buffaloes will have to cobble a team from returnees including Joe Klecker, Zach Perrin, Ryan Forsyth, Ryan Peterman, and Paul Miller and from a talented group of recruits. Coach Mark Wetmore is very good at maximizing his athletes' performances. This team will definitely require a wait and see approach. The Buffaloes ran all of their top runners (with Dressel and Saarel running unattached) at the Colorado State Invitational and dominated the competition as Forsyth led the Buffaloes to the first nine positions in the race. Colorado dominated the Rocky Mountain Shootout on Oct. 1 without Saarel and Dressel (24:38) in Buffalo uniforms. It would not be surprising to see coach Wetmore redshirt the pair in anticipation of a big year next year. Klecker led the uniformed Buffs in 24:42. Next for Colorado is Pre-Nationals on October 15th.    (8) 

9. Wisconsin - Coach Mick Byrne’s Badger team was bit by the injury bug last year but it is unlikely that will happen two years in a row. This team could trophy with so much depth. Senior Malachi Schrobilgen was 10th in 2014 and a group of juniors led by Morgan McDonald (75th in 2014) showed their potential in 2014. It will be interesting to see this group finally run again. The Badgers dominated at the Oz Memorial Invitational on September 9. McDonald (19:53.5) and Schrobilgen (19:53.9) came in together in a dominating performance at Minnesota. Wisconsin took the top four spots at the Badger Classic on September 23. They were led by senior Russell Sandvold. Next for Wisconsin is the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational on OCtober 14th.  (11)

10. Portland - The Pilots return their top three, junior Jeff Thies, senior Danny Martinez and sophomore Nick Hauger. Portland won the John Frank Invitational, led by Logan Orndorf in third. Once again without their top seven, they raced at the Bill Dellinger Invitational and finished second to #2 Oregon, 28-29. Portland won the Roy Griak Invitational (69 to 97 for second place Iowa State). As good as the women’s race has been the last few years, the men’s race at Roy Griak has been mediocre. Last year’s winner, Michigan State, was 25th at the NCAA meet and runner-up, Southern Utah, was 21st. That Michigan State team averaged 25:19 compared to 25:26 for Portland’s winning team this year. Jeff Thies was the top Pilot in fifth but the average time wasn’t as strong this year partly due to seniors Timo Goehler (28th) and Danny Martinez (38th) not having a good race. This year also contained no high expectations but Portland is a deep team set up for the 10,000m race and Goehler and Martinez will likely run better by the end of the season. The Pilots placed six in the top 28 and four in the top 16. The #1 to #5 gap was :25. Portland scored a near perfect 23 at the Charles Bowles Invite on October 1st. They did not run their top seven. The Pilots next race at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational on October 14th. (12)

11. Indiana - In Bloomington there is a lot of hope that a number of injured runners will have success. Seniors Matthew Schwartzer was 43rd and Jason Crist was 65th in 2014 and Carl Smith was 52nd in 2013. NXN runner-up Ben Veatch joins the group. This group could make the Top 10 with any luck. The Hoosiers won the Indiana Open 8k with most of their expected top seven running and taking the top 6 spots. The Hoosiers won the Indiana Intercollegiate Championships on Sept. 16 with 26 points ahead of Purdue (46). Schwartzer led a pack of Hoosiers that placed five between places 3 and 8. Indiana easily won the Rim Rock Farm Classic on Oct. 1st. They took five of the first 10 spots (#1 - #5 spread was :24). On the next weekend that the Hoosiers will race they will compete at the Bradley Classic on October 14th and Pre Nationals on October 15th. (15)

12. Mississippi - Last year the talent was there for the Rebels. Injuries slowed them but they ran well outdoors. Senior MJ Erb was 39th in 2014 and junior Sean Tobin was 68th last year. Seniors Wes Gallagher, Robert Domanic and Craig Engels could have great cross country seasons. This team could trophy. The Rebels did not run their top runners and finished third at the Memphis Twilight Classic 4-mile race. Unattached freshman Parker Scott led Mississippi at the Rebel Invite on Sept. 9 as they dominated over the 6000m course.  Ole Miss won the Notre Dame Invitational on Sept. 30 led by Sean Tobin. The next races for the Rebels are Penn State Nationals and Crimson Classic on October 14th. (10)  

13. UTEP - The Miners were 11th at last year’s NCAA cross country championships They lost #2 runner Anthony Rotich (15th) to graduation but they return five of their top six including sophomore Jonah Koech (11th). The Miners took five of the first 13 spots to win the Lobo Invitational on September 3rd. Cosmas Boit and Daniel Cheruiyot shared the win for UTEP over the 5000m course. At the Lori Fitzgerald Classic on September 9th sophomore Antony Kosgei led the Miners over the 6.4k course and they took 5 of the first 10 spots. At the next meet on September 17th the Miners took five of the first ten spots led by Daniel Cheruiyot (19:24.25) as the first three for UTEP came in together. UTEP was second at the Notre Dame Invitational with 99 points to 83 for Mississippi. Jonah Koech (23:52.6) led the Miners with a fifth place finish over the 8000m course with senior Antony Kosgei seventh (23:55.0). Next up for UTEP is the NCAA Pre-Nationals on October 15th.   (Un)

14. Georgetown - Junior Jonathan Green was fifth last year at the NCAA meet and led the Hoyas to a 10th place team finish. Senior Darren Fahy was 49th and with the addition of graduate transfer Michael Clevenger’s (from Notre Dame) 38th place finish they have a solid top three but they need stronger performances from Nos. 4 and 5 to be able to trophy. The Hoyas did not run any of their top five at the Harry Groves Spike Shoe Invitational on Sept. 10. They were led by sophomore (their #6 NCAA runner) Christian Alvarado’s 4th place finish behind three Syracuse runners and finished well back in third behind Syracuse and Cornell. The Hoyas were second at the Paul Short Run on Oct. 1 behind Iona, 34 to 115.  Senior Scott Carpenter won the race in 23:37. Next for Georgetown is the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational on October 14th.      (6)

15. Virginia - The Cavaliers return their top five and all but one (Thomas Madden) ran well on the track. Juniors Chase Wavering (55th) and Henry Wynne (59th) continued their development with good track seasons this last spring. No one else was within the top 150. The Cavaliers won the UVA duals as they ran as a pack taking five of the first seven spots. The Cavaliers finished third at Adidas XC Challenge (66 to 34 of Florida State) on Sept. 16 without any of the top seven. Virginia finished third (82) at the Virginia Panorama Farms Invitational behind #4 BYU (39) and #1 Syracuse (44). They placed their five scoring runners between 11th (junior Brent Demarest) and 22nd. Wynne (59th at 2015 NCAA championships) did not run. The Cavaliers' race next at Penn State National on October 14th. (14)

16. Oklahoma State - The Cowboys had to rebuild their roster after last season but the team is led by junior Cerake Geberkidane, 125th in 2015. Adding JC all-Americans juniors Sylvester Barus (2nd at NJCAA XC) and Hassan Abdi (5th) will boost their chances at the NCAA championships this year. Oklahoma State swept the Cowboy duals on Sept. 1 against powerhouses Arkansas and Oklahoma, and others. Oklahoma State dominated (24 to 44 for Tulsa) the Cowboy Jamboree on Sept. 24. Barus won the race and the Cowboys took five of the first nine spots without Geberkidane and Abdi in the race. The Cowboys will race again at the Penn State National meet on Oct. 14th.  (16)

17. Boise State - The Broncos return their very young team and six of the top seven runners (four finished in the top 120), minus 70th place Elijah Armstrong. They bring back the team’s one runner from 2014, sophomore Andrew Rafla (83rd). With developing runners on the roster (including redshirt freshman Miler Haller), and newcomer Yusuke Uchikoshi this team could finish in the top 10 after finishing 16th last year. The Broncos ran their top seven and finished second to Southern Utah, 26 to 46 at the Sagebrush Invitational. The Broncos (112 to 69 for Portland) were third at the Roy Griak Invitational on Sept. 24. Uchikoshi led the Broncos in seventh and Haller was 13th as the Broncos ran their best runners.  Boise State will run next at the Steve T. Reeder Memorial on Oct. 7.     (18)

18. Colorado State - The Rams return one of the best 1-2 punches in senior Jefferson Abbey (13th) and junior Jerrell Mock (19th) plus runners that redshirted last year and had run on Colorado State's 19th place 2014 team. This team is flying under the radar. The Rams did not run Abbey and Mock and lost to Colorado the CSU Invitational dual meets. The Rams finished seventh the Roy Griak Invitational on Sept. 24 without Jefferson Abbey and others in the top five. Mock won the race. Colorado State finished second at the Washington Invitational (behind #2 Oregon 26 to 39 and ahead of UW with 64) on Oct. 1. Jerrell Mock was second overall as Abbey has yet to run at the level he ran at last year (he improved significantly over Roy Griak). The Rams will run split squads at Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational on October 14th and NCAA Pre-Nationals on October 15th.  (17)

19. Middle Tennessee State - This team has won all three of their races this year. New additions, freshman Jacob Choge and junior Sampson Laari, have made a big impact and seem to have helped push their teammates to improved performances. What has been clear so far this season is that they only have six runners and they have been inconsistent. An injury or a bad race would knock them out of the top 20 at the NCAA meet. In their toughest race at the Commodore Classic they faced 2015 NCAA 7th place finisher Louisville and others and they won (63 to 81 for runner-up Georgia). Middle Tennessee State’s top runner, Choge, battled 2015 NCAA all-American Edwin Kibichiy (40th) to the finish, 24:01.6 to 24:03.7. The Raiders were edged at the Greater Louisville Classic on Oct. 1, 59-62 loss to Virginia Tech. Middle Tennessee  State did have a better time average of 24:23 to 24:31. (21)

20. Eastern Kentucky - This year EKU is getting plenty of attention after finishing 17th last year without star steeplechaser junior Jakob Abrahamson. With the return of the top four plus Abrahamson this team will challenge for a trophy led by senior Jaime Escriche (37th in 2015). Newcomer Fred Kanda led Eastern Kentucky to five of the first six spots at the  Eagle Opener. Erick Rotich beat all-american Jacob Thomson of Kentucky to lead the Colonels to a dominating (five of the top 8) victory at the Bluegrass Invitational on Sept. 10. The Colonels finished third (168 to 83 for Mississippi and 99 for UTEP) at the Notre Dame Invitational on Sept. 30 and their second squad finished fourth at Greater Louisville on October 1st. They were led by Amos Kosgey and Rotich in 9th and 10th. Next for Eastern Kentucky is the Wisconsin Adidas Invitational on October 14th   (13)    

Teams to watch

Iowa State, Providence, Illinois, Washington, Louisville, Southern Utah, Washington State, Michigan, Oklahoma, NC State, Furman, and Georgia