New Mexico keeps first ahead of Michigan State and Iowa State

Published by Adam Schneider on September 7, 2015

Truly early season results showed little of what is likely to come this season but did give us a good idea about the depth of these teams. Michigan did run hard and they were rewarded with a rise in the rankings to fifth.    (Bracketed numbers are rankings from last week)

Previous Rankings:

Pre-season

1.  New Mexico trains through Texas Tech open and runs runners who have a chance at top 7 including freshman Kendall Kelly (seventh) as senior Anna Burton (21st) leads a pack of New Mexico runners. The Lobos next race at Notre Dame on October 2.         (1)

2.  Michigan State opened with the Jeff Drenth Memorial as they look to move up runners into their top seven. Sophomore Erin McDonald won the race for the Spartans (17:29.94). Spartan Invitational is next on September 18.           (2)

3.  Iowa State redshirt freshman Evelyne Guay (10:13.1) led the Cyclones (won with 17 points) on the 3000m course at Hawkeye Early Bird Invitational in a dominating performance not including ISU’s top seven. The next race is the Oz Memorial in Minneapolis next weekend. (3)

4.  Colorado swept the Colorado State duals as 2014 #2 Maddie Alm was third in 17:38.2, Taylor Tuttle ran unattached for fourth in 17:39, and Melanie Nun ran in the pack with other Buffs. Next Race is the Rocky Mountain Shootout on October 3rd.  (4)

5.  Michigan took six of the first eight and seven of the first ten at the Eastern Michigan Celebration 5K led by the course record of junior Erin Finn, running unattached in 16:54.9. Transfer Erika Fleur (17:38.6) was the “#4” and freshman Kayla Keane (17:39.4) was the “5” runner runner for Michigan in their debuts.  Next is the Commodore Classic on September 19th.   (7)

6.  Oregon’s first race is September 11th at home for the Bill Dillinger Invitational and this could be a good sign of what kind of summer conditioning the team has had.    (5)

7.  Stanford A lot of questions surround a team that could challenge for a trophy. For the first time Stanford will start their season at the Fresno State Invitational on September 11.    (6)

8.  Providence took five of the first six spots against New Hampshire to dominate at UNH duals with Catarina Rocha wining the 5000m race in 17:28.5. Next for the Friars is Nassaney Invitational on September 12th. (8)

9.  Georgetown will begin to show followers how they respond to the loss of #1 Katrina Coogan at the JMU Invitational on September 12th.  (9)

10. Wisconsin wins Badger Opener with 21 points as coach Mick Byrne tested all but his top three runners.  Redshirt freshmen Shaley Sorensen and Erin Wagner went 1-2.  Next for the Badgers is the Iona College Meet of Champions on September 19th.   (10)

11. Washington took the first 10 spots at the UW-Seattle Open led by Emily Hamlin (16:42.23) ahead of Charlotte Prouse (16:42.36).  Next for the Huskies is their home meet, the Sundodger Invitational on September 19th.    (11)

12. Virginia looked like they were in early season form and did not win a dual in the UVA duals.  Next is Virginia/Panorama Farms Invitational on September 26. (12)

13. West Virginia ran the WVU Open relay race as only one of their top seven ran. Their next race is the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational on September 11. (13)

14. California dominated the San Francisco XC Invitational with 2014 #1, Bethan Knights, running away from the competition (17:29.1 over 5000m) as none of the freshmen or Santisteban ran. Next for the Golden Bears is the Roy Griak Invitational on September 26th. (14)

15. William and Mary Five of their top six ran at CNU 10k cross country relay. Next race is the William & Mary Invitational on September 18th and 19th.    (15)

16. Arkansas ran at the Cowboy Invitational with the intent of developing a young group of runners over a 3000m course and as a team finished second led by sophomore Kelsey Schrader. Next for the Razorbacks is UC Riverside Invitational on September 12th.   (16)

17. North Carolina State returns all but one from NCAA team and coach Laurie Henes hopes super-frosh Ryen Frazier can alleviate some of the loss of all-american Joanna Thompson. First meet is the Adidas XC Challenge on September 18. (17)

18. Syracuse graduate transfer Cassia Hameline (St. Lawrence) won the Harry Lang 4800m race in 17:17 as she and sophomore Stephanie Bitcon (17:23.6) look like they will make a big contribution to the Orange. Next for the team is Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational on September 11.  (unranked)

19. Villanova is always dangerous and had a rare non-qualification for the NCAA meet last year. This year they will likely return with six of their top seven back from a young squad.  First race is the Main Line Invitational on September 11. (18)

20. North Carolina dominated the Hokie Invitational with Josette Norris (13L53.11 for 40000m) starting to show her talent with her win. Next Race is the Wolfpack Invitational September 18.   (19)

Also of interest

Texas rested their top seven at the Baylor Bear Twilight and their next race is the Ricardo Romo Classic on September 20th. (20)

Oklahoma State returns injured runners from last year and looked good at the Cowboy preview. Igbeborg Loevnes won the race and is expected to be #1 and the emergence of freshman Katie Spencer could put them into the top 20. Next is the Bluegrass Invitational on September 12.

Iona rested their top runners at the Marist Opener and finished third. Rachel Garn (18:52.3 for 4000m) led the Gaels with her fifth place finish. Next is the Bryan Doyle Meet of Champions at home on September 19th

Notre Dame was second at the Crusader Open with runners looking to make the top seven. The next race is September 18th when the Irish host the National Catholic Championship.

NCAA D1 women cross country