Northern Arizona Decides to Redshirt Two of Their Top Three Runners and Puts Trophy Streak in Jeopardy.

The top teams have not changed yet. There are many teams that have been added or knocked off the top 20 and a few teams of interest that should make for a great Greater Louisville Classic on October 3rd.

Northern Arizona head coach Eric Heins decided to redshirt 2014 third place finisher Futsum Zeinesellassie and Lumberjack regular Nathan Weitz.  This gives the team a chance to develop their young runners and be in a stronger place to trophy or win next year. 

Early in this season we are seeing a few meets that will include top runners but mostly coaches are getting a chance to see runners that could possibly run in the top seven.   (Previous Ranking)

1.  Colorado - Sophomore Zach Perrin (14:43) won the CSU duals and led a group of Buffs looking to end up in the top seven at the end of year including unattached John Dressel (2nd in 14:51). Next race is Rocky Mountain Shootout on October 3.   (1)

2.  Stanford used the short course (6000m) Fresno State Invitational as an ice-breaker and sophomore Thomas Coyle ran well (6th along with Joe Rosa). The next meet for the Cardinal is the Stanford Invitational on September 26. (2)

3.  Oklahoma State sophomore Cerake Gebrekidane led the Cowboys on August 30 at the Cowboy Preview and showed their great depth. Oklahoma State will host the Cowboy Jamboree on September 26th for the Cowboy’s next meet     (3)

4.  Iona did not run their top seven at home and were out of the running for the team title at the Br. Doyle Meet of Champions. Xavier King (18:53.1 for 6000m) led Iona (27-29 over Marist) at the Marist Opener. Next up for Iona is a split squad weekend of Paul Short Run on October 2nd and Greater Louisville Classic on October 3rd.  (4)

5. Syracuse Syracuse and Michigan ran without #1s (Syracuse ran without three of their top four) and Michigan won at Harry Groves Spiked Shoe (8400m) 35-42. Next race is the Coast-to-Coast Battle in Beantown on September 25th.  (5)

6.  Oregon dominated the Bill Dellinger Invitational with a solid group of five in front led by Edward Cheserek (24:26.0) as they finished in a pack. It was just released they added junior Ryan Gil from Georgetown (141st in 2014). Next for the Ducks is the Washington Invitational on October 2nd.  (6)

7.  Michigan won Harry Groves Spiked Shoe (missing two of top three) after dominating the EMU Celebration 5k. Next race is the Greater Louisville Classic on October 3.       (7)

8.  Wisconsin ran their top seven as a pack at Br. Doyle Meet of Champions and easily won (25-51 over Arkansas). Junior Russell Sandvold led Wisconsin in third (19:02.8) over the 6000m course at the Badger Opener. Their next race is the Greater Louisville Classic on October 3rd.  (8)

9.  Villanova was second at Main Line with some runners (including winner Patrick Tiernana) running unattached and others that helped the team finish second (lost 20-72 to Penn). None of their top seven ran at Big 5 and the Wildcats finished fifth. Their next race is the Paul Short Run on October 2nd. (9)

10. Mississippi did not use any of their top runners at the Commodore Classic or Brooks Memphis Twilight Classic. Their next race is the Greater Louisville Classic on October 3rd. (10)

11. Virginia swept the UVA duals as Henry Wynne got off to a great season start and led the Cavaliers. Next is Virginia/Panorama Farms Invitational on September 26.    (12)

12. UCLA easily won the Mustang Challenge using runners expected to #6-#7 on the team as sophomore Myles Smith won. They previously competed at the Nevada Twilight Classic with runners competing for a top seven spot. The Bruins next compete at the Washington Invitational on October 2nd.  (14)

13. Eastern Kentucky has won their first two meets in Kentucky (Kentucky Bluegrass this week) and freshman Alex Rotich was the Ohio Valley runner of the week (and looks like a replacement for last year’s #1, Ole Hesselbjerg) the first meet and will likely repeat the award this week. With new runners and fewer injuries so far compared to last year this team could move back into the top 20 at the NCAA meet (23rd in 2014 and 15th in 2013). Their next race is the Virginia Panorama Farms Invitational on September 26th. (15)

14. Indiana ran as a pack and easily won the Indiana Intercollegiates but not all of the top runners ran well in a relaxed pace. Owen Skeet won the Indiana Open 8000m in 25:48.41. Next up for the Hoosiers is the Princeton Inter-Regionals on October 3rd. (13)

15.  BYU dominated the WCC preview meet (18 to 43 for Gonzaga) after dominating the BYU Autumn Classic (15). Next for BYU will be top competition at the Washington Invitational on October 2nd. (16)

16. Portland won the Lewis and Clark Invitational with runners looking for a top seven spot and the same group was third at Ash Creek. Their next race is the Washington Invitational on October 2nd.   (17)

17. Washington had their streak of individual winners continue as senior Izaic Yorks won at Sundodger but three of the Huskies’ top four runners rested and Washington State won 24-33. The Huskies took eight of the first eleven spots on the 4.5 mile course UW-Seattle Open. Next is the Washington Invitational on October 2nd.   (19)

18. UTEP took five of the first seven spots and dominated the Kachina Classic over 7000m (led by Jonah Koech over Anthony Rotich).  Previously six runners dominated the 6000m race and ran as a pack at the Texas Tech/NM State dual and the same six repeated the feat at The Lori Fitzgerald Classic. Next for the Miners is Notre Dame Invitational on October 2nd. (20)

19. Furman took the top ten spots at the Queens Twilight using runners competing for a lower top seven spot and then dominated the Furman Cross Country Classic (16 to 46 over Auburn).  Next for Furman is the Virginia Panorama Farms Invitational on September 26th. (unr)

20. Georgetown biggest loss was losing junior Ryan Gil to transfer. They were second at the Navy Invitational after they used none of their top six. Next for the Hoyas is the Paul Short Invitational on October 2nd.  (16)

Of Interest

Louisville won the Commodore Classic (53 to 68 over Ohio State) and showed their #5 runner issue. Previously they won the Evansville Early Bird Opener with many of the Cardinals running easily. Their next race is the Greater Louisville Classic on October 3rd.

Northern Arizona ran at Dave Murray but the big story is that #1 (Futsum Zeinesellasie) and #3 (Nathan Weitz) runners will redshirt.  Without them, they will struggle to make it out of the Mountain Region. They introduced sophomore transfer Cory Glines as a Lumberjack and he beat regular Alejandro Maldonado at the George Kyte Classic as they dominated competition (perfect score of 15) among Arizona schools. Next up is the Cowboy Jamboree on September 26th. (11)

Arkansas was second at the Br. Doyle Meet of Champions and Frankline Tonui was the individual winner but Wisconsin ran as a pack.. They ran at the Cowboy Preview and gave some of their younger runners some experience. Next up for the Razorbacks is the Chili Pepper Festival on October 3rd. .

Georgia was sixth after taking none of their top seven to the Furman Cross Country Invitational. They ran as a pack and finished 2-7 at Struts cross country season opener to dominate. Their next race is the Coast-to-Coast Battle In Beantown on September 25th.

Campbell dominated a dual meet against UNCW (16-39). Their next race is the Virginia/Panorama Farms Invitational September 26th.