Washington Establishes Itself as a Trophy Threat

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

No. 4 Providence went to the Notre Dame Joe Piane Invitational and showed it deserved its ranking and that it will challenge for a national title. No. 5 North Carolina State, Eastern Michigan, No. 3 New Mexico, and others were beaten.

No. 9 Washington dominated the Washington Invitational over No. 6 Oregon, Harvard and Colorado State. Their average time of 19:59 was one second off the average time that Oregon had last year in winning the meet. Last year Oregon was third at the NCAA championships. After missing the last two cross country seasons senior Amy-Eloise Neale is back and she was third at the Washington Invitational.

1. Colorado - The Buffalos return four of its top five and six of the top seven. Senior Erin Clark (11th) and junior Kaitlyn Benner (16th) could both finish in the top ten this year and they could see some development from talented freshmen. Junior McKenzie Caldwell did not run cross country last year but ran 16:15 for 5000m and 33:52 for 10,000m and should improve over her 2014 performance (195th). Freshman Sage Hurta led the Buffaloes with a 2nd place finish at the Colorado State Invitational on September 2 as Colorado dominated. The Buffaloes dominated the Rocky Mountain Shootout on October 1 and ran an average :41 seconds faster per person than last year (five scoring runners). Erin Clark ran 19:53 for the 5800m course at altitude. Next for the Buffaloes is NCAA Pre-Nationals on October 15th.  (1)

2. Washington - Junior Katie Knight won the Pac-12 10,000m title and finally exhibited the talent held back by injuries in previous seasons. She should make a run in the lead group at the NCAA meet. Talented sophomore Charlotte Prouse (78th last year) and transfer Izzi Batt-Doyle will lead a strong and deep group behind Knight. Washington runners took the first 11 spots led by Knight at the UW-Seattle U Open on Sept. 2. Washington dominated the Sundodger Invitational on Sept.17. Prouse and Knight went 1-2 to lead the Huskies as they scored just 18 points ahead of Washington State with 67.  Washington impressed the country with their victory at the Washington Invitational on October1st with just 24 points (Oregon was second with 57 and Harvard scored 78). Charlotte Prouse won, senior Amy-Eloise Neale was third (19:47.2), and Katie Knight was fifth (20:04.5). Washington took six of the first nine spots. Next up for the Huskies is the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational on October 14th. (9)

3. Providence - The Friars finished fourth last year and will likely move up unless the Cardinal shows their talent this year. The only change for Providence from 2014 (13th with 401) to 2015 (4th with 231) was the addition of Sarah Collins (20th) after her redshirt year. If Providence wants to move up into the top two they have to improve. Collins led the Friars as they took the first five spots at the UNH Dual meet on Sept. 3. She also led the team to a win at the Coast to Coast Battle in Beantown Invitational on Sept.16 with a third place finish as Providence took five of the first seven spots. The Friars (117) won the Notre Dame Joe Piane Invitational on September 30 ahead of #5 NC State (149), Eastern Michigan (159) and #3 New Mexico (166).  Collins led Providence with a ninth place finish. The Friars next run at the New England Championships on October 8th.  (4)

4. NC State - Last season the Wolfpack saw a star emerge in super-frosh Ryen Frazier. By the end of the season, though, Rachel Koon was the top freshman (59th to 108th for Frazier at the NCAA meet). This year Ryen will be helped by the eligibility of Duke transfer and sister Wesley (already ran 15:45 school record on the track in the 5000m). If the two push each other to success and seniors Erika Kemp and Megan Moye continue to improve they could challenge for second. The Wolfpack won the Adidas XC Challenge on Sept. 16 with 40 points ahead of North Carolina (54) and without either of the Frazier sisters as they still took three of the top seven positions. North Carolina State was second (149) behind #4 Providence (117) at the Notre Dame Joe Piane Invitational on Sept. 30. Next for NC State is the Wisconsin Invitational on October 14th. (5)

5. New Mexico - The news that top five runners Rhona Auckland and Elizabeth Weiler are out knocks the Lobos down in the rankings but this is still a very good team. Coming into the season they had five runners who have been in the top 81 and four in the top 38 and the team scored just 49 points at the NCAA meet last year (and 188 for third in 2014). Junior Alice Wright was fifth, senior Rhona Auckland was 13th, and senior Calli Thackery was 15th and represent three of the top nine returners. With returning depth and top transfers Elizabeth Weiler (38th in 2014 for Lehigh) and Kathryn Fluehr  (81st for Princeton last year), this was expected to be a tough team to beat. New Mexico dominated at their Lobo Invitational on Sept. 3 not using any of their expected top five in the 5000m race. Kendall Kelly led New Mexico with a third place finished. The Lobos were fourth (166) at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational on September 30th behind Providence (117), North Carolina State (149) and Eastern Michigan (159) . They had a faster average time (16:52) than NC State (16:53) and Eastern Michigan (16:54) and it was clear that the team was in a heavy training phase (looking at recent performances). Alice Wright (2nd) and Calli Thackery (5th) debuted this season and led New Mexico.  Next for the Lobos is the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational on October 14th. (3)

6. Oregon - The Ducks lost two of their top three from last year (third place) but return junior Allie Cash (31st in 2015) and transfer senior Samantha Nadel (37th in 2014) from Georgetown. Oregon and New Mexico are the only two teams to finish in the top six in each of the last two years. Oregon also has a deep talent pool and a veteran group. In their first meet at the Bill Dellinger Invitational on Sept. 16, the Ducks (39) defeated defending NAIA champion NW Christian (51). Junior Emma Abrahamsson led Oregon with a fourth place finish. Oregon was second (57 to 24 for Washington) at the Washington Invitational on October 1st. Freshman Katie Rainsberger was second in her debut (19:42.9) over 6000m. Oregon ran as a pack and put five runners between 12th and 18th and ran without their top returnee, Cash.  Oregon runs next at the NCAA Pre-Nationals on October 15th .   (6)

7. Boise State - The biggest x-factor of any team last year was the health of the Bronco runners. This year that is more of a question with NCAA favorite sophomore Allie Ostrander missing all of outdoor until the Olympic Trials. Sophomore Brenna Peloquin was ninth last year and the Mountain West 5000m champion outdoors. BSU returns all of its top seven from last year’s eleventh place team and returning sophomore Emma Hyppa (114th in 2014) and transfer Megan Lacy from Stanford along with freshman Karlie Swanson (3rd at Australian U20 XC championships). The Broncos won the Sagebrush Invitational using two of their returning top seven and led by potential top seven freshman Claire O’Brien in second place. The Broncos were fourth (155) at the Roy Griak Invitational on Sept. 24 without 2015 NCAA runner-up Allie Ostrander (if she had run they would have likely been second). Sophomore Brenna Peloquin won the race over multiple all-American Erin Finn of Michigan. The Bronco’s next race is the Steve T Reeder Memorial in October 7th.    (7)

8. Michigan State - Redshirt junior Rachele Schulist was fourth in 2014 as she led the Spartans to the NCAA title. Injuries slowed the start to her season last year but she returned for the NCAA meet to finish 11th over 10,000m. Senior Alexis Wiersma was 21st at the NCAA meet last year and finished 6th in the Big 10 10,000m. Junior Shelby Jackson was 79th and ran well on the track. At this time Michigan State lacks the depth they had in 2014 to make a run for a trophy. The Spartans used none of their expected top seven at the Jeff Drenth Memorial on Sept. 2 and beat Central Michigan 23 to 37. Michigan State (23) beat Grand Valley State (63) at the Spartan Invitational on September 16th. Schulist led the Spartans in 2nd and Wiersma (4th) was joined by sophomores Erin McDonald (5th) and Amber Way (6th) to lead Michigan State. Michigan State was second (127 to 74 for Portland) at the Roy Griak Invitational on September 24th. Not everyone ran well and freshman Holly Bullough was 11th to lead the Spartans. Shelby Jackson was 43rd and even if she had run better, they would not have won in Minnesota. Michigan State’s next race is the Wisconsin Under Armour Invitational on October 14th.   (8)

9. Portland - The Pilots come into the cross country season after a very good 2016 track season. Junior Lauren LaRocco was their star with a fourth in the 10,000m and sixth over 5000m at the NCAA meet. Portland dominated the John Frank Invitational on September 3rd by taking the first three spots led by Parkes Kendrick. Portland did not bring their top 8 runners to the the Bill Dellinger Invitational on September 16th and finished f7th (190). The Pilots had an impressive performance at the Roy Griak Invitational on September 24th with a win (74). They put three in the top six, Lauren LaRocco (3rd), Anne Luijten (5th), and Parkes Kendrick (6th). The top five Portland runners finished in the top 32. Portland’s ran at the Charles Bowles Invitational on October 1st without their top 7 and won with 87 to 96 for New Mexico State.  The Pilots next race at the Adidas Wisconsin Invitational on October 14th. (10)

10.  Arkansas -  The Razorbacks return five of their top seven but No. 2 runner sophomore Devin Clark (48th) was hurt after qualifying for world juniors in the steeplechase and that may affect this cross country season. If she is not 100 percent the Razorbacks do not return anyone from the top 100. Juniors Regan Ward (103rd) and Kelsey Schrader (111th) will try to lead an inexperienced group. Arkansas used just two of their returning expected top five and freshman Carina Viljoen led Arkansas to victory on the 3000m course. Arkansas won two team races at the UC Riverside Invitational and won the Southern Stampede on Sept. 17. Devin Clark debuted for the Razorbacks on the 5000m course at the Chile Pepper Festival on Oct. 1 and she took third, leading Arkansas (#1 to #5 separation of :22.8) to a 22 to 72 victory over Missouri. Next for Arkansas is Pre-Nationals on October 15th. (11)

11. Stanford - Redshirt sophomore Elise Cranny (12th in 2014) returns and senior Vanessa Fraser (40th) has consistently improved. There is an amazing freshman class including NXN runner-up Ella Donaghu, Footlocker all-American Hannah DeBalsi and California state champion Fiona O’Keeffe (US junior track champion and record setting 15:56.84 over 5000m) to go with talented returnees. Unfortunately injuries at the end of last season will likely keep O'Keefe from running cross country this year and she will probably redshirt. Fraser and Cranny went 1-2 as the Cardinal lost their season opener 41-45 to San Francisco at the USF Invitational on Sept. 3. Stanford won the Stanford Invitational by taking four of the first eight spots as Cranny ran 20:02.5 for the 6000m course. Next for the Cardinal is the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational on October 14th. (2)

12. Penn State - Redshirt sophomore Tessa Barrett (38th at the 2015 NCAA championships) and junior Elizabeth Chikotas (102nd) are a solid top two but behind them they need stronger performances to move into the top ten. Penn State dominated the Lock Haven Dolan Duals on September 2nd using their top runners. At the Harry Jones Spiked Shoe Classic on Sept. 10. Barrett (20:30.5) won and broke the meet record on the 6000m course as Chikotas (20:52.9) was also under the record and the Nittany Lions dominated by taking three of the top four. They could get into the top 10 if they can develop No. 4 and No. 5 runners. Penn State finished 3rd (147) at the Roy Griak Invitational Sept. 24. The Nittany Lions put three in the top 13 led by junior Jillian Hunsberger in ninth. Next for Penn State is the Penn State Open on Oct. 14.  (12)

13. Michigan - The Wolverines could easily finish in a trophy spot with a leader like senior Erin Finn. Michigan has a number of juniors and seniors that have shown improvement on the grass and the track. Gina Sereno, Jaime Phelan, Sophie Linn, Jamie Morrissey, Corinne Florie, Erika Fleuhr and the Meier twins (Hannah and Haley) will need to push each other to reach the top four as none have broken the top 90 at the NCAA meet. Erin Finn ran by herself in 16:44.5 over 5000m to lead the Wolverines at the Michigan Open on September 2nd. The Wolverines dominated the Indiana State Sycamore Invitational on September 10th at the NCAA championship course by taking 11 of the first 12 spots against Duke. At the Roy Griak Invitational on September 24th the Wolverines finished 5th (155) led by senior Erin Finn’s runner-up finish. Finn dominated the Greater Louisville Classic with a course record to lead Michigan to victory. The Wolverines placed it’s seven runners in the top 26.  Michigan next races at the adidas NCAA Pre-Nationals on October 15th. (13)

14. Eastern Michigan - Junior Jordann McDermitt is the top returner for the Eagles. She was 19th in the Great Lakes region last year. This season McDermitt has led the team to the first four spots at the George Dales Invite on September 2nd. At the Detroit Titan Invitational they finished second without their top runners.  Eastern Michigan finished first at the Commodore Classic on September 17th with 68 as McDermitt finished third and Eastern Michigan put three in the top 14. They beat formerly ranked teams Vanderbilt (third with 124) and Mississippi State (sixth with 158). Eastern Michigan stepped up on the national stage by finishing third at the Notre Dame Invitational (159 behind 117 for #4 Providence and #5 North Carolina State with 149). The Eagles beat defending champion New Mexico (166) and other nationally ranked teams. McDermitt led the Eagles with a 8th place finish (16:33.1 for 5000m). Next for Eastern Michigan is NCAA Pre-Nationals on October 15th. (un)

15. Notre Dame - The top end of the Irish is very young. Anna Rohrer was sixth last year with fellow freshmen Annie Heffernan (138th) and Rachel Dadamio (96th) leading a group of experienced runners. Notre Dame dominated the Crusader Open on Sept. 2 with all but Rohrer running. The Irish dominated the National Catholic Championships on September 16 with 31 to 73 for Marquette.  Heffernan and graduate Danielle Aragon went 1-2. The Irish were 8th at the Notre Dame Joe Piane Invitational Sept. 30 with (208 behind winner Providence’s 117). Anna Rohrer won the race and many runners were off previous performances likely due to hard training. The Irish next race at the Wisconsin Adidas Invitational on October 14th.  (14) 

16. Yale - Yale started the season with a win at the Fiasco Invitational on September 10th with runners not expected to be among the top seven Yale runners.  At the HYP meet on September 17th Yale (20) beat Harvard (53) and Princeton (63). Senior Frances Schmeide led Yale with a second place finish (19:08.6). The Bulldogs (92) beat Georgetown (119) at the Paul Short Run on October 1st. Emily Waligurski (20:15) led Yale with a fifth place finish. Yale had a :28 gap from #1 to #5 runners.  Yale runs again at the New England Championships on October 8th.  (un)

17.  Georgetown - The Hoyas return their top five and six of their top seven to the team that finished 20th last year. Senior Haley Pierce was 61st and sophomore Audrey Belf was 106th last year. Georgetown did not run all of their top runners at Harry Jones Spiked Shoe Classic on September 10th and was second behind Penn State and ahead of Syracuse. The Hoya finished second at the Paul Short Run on October 1st behind Yale, 92 to 119. Freshman Paige Hofstad led the Hoyas with an 11th place finish. Georgetown will race next at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational on October 14th.   (15)

18. Mississippi - The Rebels did not make the NCAA meet last year and were only seventh at the southeast regional but what they did on the track was impressive. Four of their runners were in the top 16 (two in the top four) on the SEC 10,000m season list . Junior Emily Bean (33:39.36), senior Mary Alex England (33:47.91), and junior Shelby Brown (34:41.08) look to make the biggest improvement on cross country courses this year. They return their NCAA region #1 runner, sophomore Nikki Park (30th) as well as Bean, England and Brown as part of their five of their top seven returnees.  Hannah Christen (6th at 2015 NCAA Southeast Region) transfered from North Carolina and should contribute immediately They opened their season at the Brooks Memphis Twilight Classic on Sept. 3 without their top runners and finished third. Newcomer junior Hannah Christen led the Rebels at the Rebel Invite on Sept. 9 as the Rebels took six of the first seven against Southeast Missouri. Ole Miss finished seventh (187 to 117 for Providence) at the Notre Dame Invitational on Sept. 30. On the next weekend that Mississippi will run they will split their squad between Penn State National and Crimson Classic on October 14th. (16)

19.  BYU - At the Autumn Classic on September 3rd the Cougars took five of the first six spots to easily defeat Weber State. Sophomore Erica Birk-Jarvis won the three-mile race. Senior Yesenia Silva and sophomore Erica Birk went 4-5 to lead the Cougars to victory at the Virginia Panorama Farms Invitational on September 23rd. They scored 47 to SMU’s 89, Syracuse’s 98, and Virginia’s 127 points. BYU runs at the Steven T Reeder Memorial on October 8th. (20)

20. Iowa State - Last season the Cyclones had high expectations. Unfortunately senior Crystal Nelson had to end her season before it began after a seventh place finish in 2014. Junior Bethanie Brown also had to redshirt after finishing 53rd in 2014. Senior Perez Rotich won the Big 12 title and finished 42nd at the NCAA meet. Junior Erin Hooker was only 151st at the NCAA meet after strong track seasons before and after and sophomore Becky Straw was having a good season last year before she got hurt. There are a lot of questions with this team. In the Cyclones' first meet they were fourth at the Hawkeye Invitational using runners making their collegiate debuts. Iowa State was 15th at the Roy Griak Invitational on Sept. 24. They ran Rotich and Hooker but with others not in the top 7. Last year they ran only one in their NCAA top seven and finished 19th. Next for the Cyclones is the Regional Preview on October 1st. Next for Iowa State is the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational on October 14th.   (17)

Other teams to watch: 

Wisconsin, Baylor, Harvard, Vanderbilt, Cal-Berkeley, SMU, Syracuse, Mississippi State,  Villanova, Virginia, San Francisco, Oklahoma State, Princeton, Texas, Utah