Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown: #10 Colorado State

Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown: #10 Colorado State

Check out the Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown, where FloTrack ranks the top 31 cross country teams in the NCAA this season. The No. 10 men's spot goes to Colorad

Aug 10, 2016 by Gordon Mack
Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown: #10 Colorado State
Check out the Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown, where FloTrack ranks the top 31 cross country teams in the NCAA this season. The No. 10 men's spot goes to Colorado State this year, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:
SR Jefferson Abbey (7:51 3K; 13:50 5K; 13th at '15 NCAA XC)
JR Jerrell Mock (13:46 5K; 19th at '15 NCAA XC)
SO Cole Rockhold (4:03 Mile; 13:53 5K; 33rd at '15 NCAA Mountain XC)
JR Grant Fischer (29:44 10K; 144th at '14 NCAA XC)
SR Adam Hartman (192nd at '14 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:
Graeme Schroeder via Kent, WA (9:17 3200; 3rd at '15 WIAA XC)
Jacob Brueckman via Issaquah, WA (4:15 1600)

Analysis:
The Colorado State Rams might just have the best 1-2 punch in the NCAA that no one is talking about. Senior Jefferson Abbey and junior Jerrell Mock return to Art Siemers' squad after finishing 13th and 19th respectively at last year's NCAA Championships. This duo wasn't a fluke either--they backed up their cross country season with strong track performances. Abbey finished sixth in the NCAA Indoor 3K and ran 7:51 during the season, while Mock finished 14th in the NCAA Indoor 5K and ran 13:46 during the season. Both men redshirted the 2016 outdoor season, so look out for this duo on the grass.

After Abbey and Mock, the Rams struggled to find a solid 3-5 to make the NCAA Championships last season. But four of the top six from 2014's 19th place squad return and should be ready to roll. Sophomore Cole Rockhold ran 13:53 on the track, junior Grant Fischer ran 14:19/29:44, and senior Adam Hartman brings experience from the 2013 and 2014 NCAA championship-qualifying squads. Coach Siemers also welcomes incoming freshmen Graeme Schroeder and Jacob Brueckman, who will help the Rams' depth in 2016.

Previously:
#11 Eastern Kentucky
#12 Virginia
#13 Mississippi
#14 BYU
#15 Washington
#16 Furman
#17 Indiana
#18 Oklahoma
#19 Boise State
#20 Portland
#21 UTEP
#22 Oklahoma State
#23 Michigan
#24 Washington State
#25 Michigan State
#26 Villanova
#27 Louisville
#28 Tulsa
#29 Iowa State
#30 Illinois
#31 North Carolina State