Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown: #21 Kansas Women

Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown: #21 Kansas Women

Check out the Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown, where FloTrack ranks the top 31 cross country teams in the NCAA this season. The No. 21 spot goes to Kansas this y

Aug 5, 2016 by Taylor Dutch
Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown: #21 Kansas Women
Check out the Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown, where FloTrack ranks the top 31 cross country teams in the NCAA this season. The No. 21 spot goes to Kansas this year, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:
SO Sharon Lokedi (9:26 3K; 15:57 5K; 32:49 10K; 10th at '15 NCAA XC)
SR Hannah Richardson (4:16 1500; 11th at '13 NCAA Midwest XC)
SR Malika Baker (2:13 800; 4:31 1500; 156th at '15 NCAA XC)
SR Nashia Baker (2:10 800; 4:26 1500; 183rd at '15 NCAA XC)
JR Lydia Saggau (2:13 800; 4:27 1500; 195th at '15 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:
Catherine Liggett via Parker, CO (2:13 800; 5:01 Mile)
Cameron Gueldner via Olathe, KS (5:01 Mile; 10:45 3200)

Analysis:
Kansas secured a 27th-place team finish last year at NCAAs thanks to the front-running of All-American Sharon Lokedi, who finished 10th overall. To improve that team performance, the Jayhawks must close the gap between Lokedi and the No. 2-5 runners. With the return of senior Hannah Richardson and a more experienced class, Kansas could definitely pull it off. 

Richardson missed the last two cross country seasons due to sickness and injury, but holds all-region and all-conference honors to her name. She also qualified to run at the NCAA championships in the 1500m during the 2015 outdoor season. If Richardson returns healthy and fit, she could add a low stick to the Jayhawks' pack. 

Richardson joins rising sophomore Lokedi who notched All-American honors in cross country and track last year as a freshman. Lokedi finished sixth in the 10K at the NCAA championships last June and returns poised to lead Kansas once again.

Previously:
#22 Weber State
#23 Cal
#24 North Carolina
#25 BYU
#26 Virginia
#27 Villanova
#28 Vanderbilt
#29 Texas
#30 Florida
#31 Minnesota