Arkansas looks like it might challenge for the title again and Dominique Scott becomes the NCAA favorite with Kate Avery not running for Iona this year.    

Published by Adam Schneider on September 14, 2015   

(previous weeks rankings)

Pre-Season   Week 1

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 ran without their top five at the Oz Memorial and finished second to Minnesota (33-37) as frosh Abby Caldwell led the Cyclones with a third place finish (21:56.8). Redshirt freshman Evelyne Guay (10:13.1) led the Cyclones (won with 17 points) on the 3000m course at Hawkeye Early Bird Invitational. Their next race is the Roy Griak Invitational on September 26th. (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.  Providence was perfect at Shawn Nassaney Invitational as Sara Collins and Briana Ilarda ran as part of the pack after the previous race where they 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 the Coast-to-Coast Battle in Beantown on September 25th. (8)

6.  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.   (5)

7.  Stanford used the short course (4200m) Fresno State Invitational as a fast workout. Graduate Aisling Cuffe ran in her first cross country race in almost 2 years. Next up for the Cardinal is the Stanford Invitational on September 26th.    (7)

8.  Oregon’s first three ran well at Bill Dillinger in a race before training camp starts at Sunriver, led by sophomore Alli Cash in 20:27.5. The Ducks ran without three of their top six. Their next race is the Washington Invitational on October 2nd.  (6)

9.  Georgetown dominated the JMU open (5200m) led by senior Samantha Nadel in 18:37.3. Next for the Hoyas is the Coast-to-Coast Battle in Beantown on September 25th .  (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. Arkansas dominated the UC Riverside Invitational without top runner senior Dominique Scott. Freshman Devin Clark (3rd at 2014 NXN) was second overall in the 6000m race and freshman Claudie Verstaten (17:32.10) was the top collegian and led the Arkansas middle distance runners over the 5000m course. Clark looks like a solid #2 for the Razorbacks.  Next race for Arkansas is Missouri Southern Stampede on September 19th.  (16)

14. West Virginia used none of their top seven at Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational and finished third then ran the WVU Open relay race as only one of their top seven ran. Their next race is the Greater Louisville Classic on October 3rd. (13)

15. 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)

16. 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)

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. Penn State won the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe (21-34) as Tori Gerlach won (21:01.1) and redshirt freshman Tessa Barrett (6th in 21:43.0) was #4 for the Nittany Lions. Next for Penn State is the Greater Louisville Classic October 3rd. (unr)

19. Syracuse was second to Penn State at the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe (21-34) with the Orange’s Margo Malone second over 6k (21:10.9). At Harry Lang (4800m) graduate transfer Cassia Hameline (St. Lawrence) won the race in 17:17 Next race is the Coast-to-Coast Battle in Beantown on September 25th.  (18)

20. Villanova rested six of their top seven at Big 5 Invitational and finished second. Next for the Wildcats is the Main Line Invitational on September 18. (19)

Also of interest

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.   (20)

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

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 OSU Cowboy Jamboree on September 26th.

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.

Women D1 cross country rankings