WCC Teams Portland and BYU impress with Big Wins

By Adam Schneider/DyeStatCOLLEGE editor on September 27th, 2016

Colorado moves to the top with rumors that two of New Mexico’s top runners are out. Coming into the season there were concerns that senior Rhona Auckland and transfer Elizabeth Weiler may not be healthy enough to run so this rumor is more evidence that the concerns may be true. 

The Roy Griak Invitational made a big change in the rankings. Although Portland won that does not mean they will keep that ranking ahead of the teams they beat. The average time of the Pilots, 22:03, was slower than the last two winners when they both averaged under 22:00. It was also clear that the teams they beat were training through these races and had already had a few races under their belt. The Pilots top runners had not run in three weeks. BYU won in a very unimpressive Virginia Panorama Farms race. Oklahoma State was dominated at home at the Cowboy Jamboree and has looked unimpressive all season. 

Portland, BYU, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, and Virginia could improve in the rankings with better performances, a few verifying their recent performances (Portland and BYU) and a few making it clear that their recent competitions do not indicate the quality of their teams (Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Virginia).  

1.   Colorado - Colorado returns 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 Sept. 2 as Colorado dominated. Next up for the Buffaloes is the Rocky Mountain Shootout on Oct. 1.  (2)

2.  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. This team could challenge to win. 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. Next up for the Cardinal is the Virginia/Panorama Farms Invitational on Sept. 23. (3)

3.   New Mexico - Recent news that expected 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 finish. Next for the Lobos is the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational on September 30th. (1)

4. 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. Next up for the Friars is the Notre Dame Joe Piane Invitational on Sept. 30.  (4)

5. 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. Next for North Carolina State is the Notre Dame Joe Piane Invitational on Sept. 30. (6)

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 next races at the Washington Invitational on October 1st. (9)

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.    (8)

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.   (5)

9. 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.  Next for Washington is the Washington Invitational on Oct. 1. (11)

10. Portland - Portland comes 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 next race is the Charles Bowles Invitational on October 1st.  (un)

11.  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. Next for the Razorbacks is the Chile Pepper Festival on Oct. 1. (12)

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.  (13)

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 Grain Invitational on September 24th the Wolverines finished 5th (155) led by senior Erin Finn’s runner-up finish. (10)

14. 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 play host to the Notre Dame Joe Piane Invitational Sept. 30.  (15) 

15.  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’s next meet is the Paul Short Run on October 1st.  (16)

16. 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. Next for Ole Miss is the Notre Dame Invitational on Sept. 30. (17)

17. 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.  (7)

18. Wisconsin - Among all of the teams the Badgers easily post the biggest questions. Can Wisconsin run well and stay healthy? A key to that is whether senior Sarah Disanza can run as well as she did in 2014 when she was runner-up. Graduate student Molly Hansen was 74th in 2014 and sophomore Shaelyn Sorensen was 93rd last year. There is experience behind them but without much success. In the Badgers' first meet at the Oz Memorial Invitational they lost to Minnesota on Sept. 9 without Disanza running but the rest of the top five in the race. Michelle Lee won for Wisconsin at the Badger Classic on Sept. 23. The Badgers dominated the team score with 20 to 41 for Northern Iowa. Next for Wisconsin is the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational on September 30th.  (19)

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.

20. Vanderbilt - The Commodores return four of their top six from the NCAA meet and experienced runners that ran at the regional and conference meets in addition. They have won the last two south regional meets led by now-sophomore Caroline Pietrzyk (32nd at 2015 NCAA cross country meet) and senior Carmen Carlos (148th). Neither Pietrzyk or Carlos has run this year but sophomore Sara Tsai (167th) has improved significantly. She won the Belmont Opener on Sept. 3 and led Vanderbilt to a 24 to 31 victory over Lipscomb. Tsai led the third-place team by finishing sixth at the Commodore Classic on Sept. 17, with all but the top two runners on the team running. Next for the Commodores is the Notre Dame Joe Piane Invitational on September 30th.  (20)

Other teams to watch: 

Eastern Michigan, Harvard, Ohio State, Cal-Berkeley, SMU, Syracuse, Mississippi State,  Villanova, Virginia, San Francisco, Yale, Oklahoma State, Princeton, Texas, Utah, Oklahoma, Alabama