SR Mason Ferlic (7:56 3K; 8:35 3K Steeple; 13:46 5K; 13th NCAA XC ’14)

SR August Pappas (14:05 5K; 29:29 10K; 79th NCAA XC ’14)

JR Ben Flanagan (14:18 5K; 64th NCAA XC ’14)

SR Tony Smoragiewicz (8:21 3K; 14:13 5K; 29:50 10K; 114th NCAA XC ’14)

5th Man Battle:

The Michigan Wolverines open their season tomorrow at the EMU Celebration. The Michigan men are coming off an impressive 11th place finish last year led by returning redshirt senior Mason Ferlic. Ferlic improved drastically during the 2014-2015 season on the course and track. The steeplechase star lowered his PB down to 8:35 this past year and will look to be a contender for the steeplechase national title in 2016. But first, Mason will have a chance to be a top 10 stick for his teammates in November.

Following Ferlic will be a three headed horse of veteran runners. Senior August Pappas (79th last year), junior Ben Flanagan (64th last year), and senior Tony Smoragiewicz (114th last year) all made improvements on their finish from 2013 to 2014. This year should be no different as they come into NCAAs with multiple years of experience and the expectation to be a 30th-70th place runner.

The battle for the crucial #5 spot looks to be open to a few runners notably junior Connor Mora (8:45 Steeple), senior Nicholas Posada (29:57 10K) or sophomore Aaron Baumgarten (14:22 5K). The depth on the lower end of the Michigan squad will be important for coach Sullivan as he tries to piece together a squad ready to improve on their 11th place finish.