2017 FloXC Countdown

2017 FloXC Countdown: #15 Notre Dame Women

2017 FloXC Countdown: #15 Notre Dame Women

2017 FloXC Countdown: #15 Notre Dame Women

Aug 31, 2017 by Gordon Mack
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Follow our 2017 FloXC Countdown, where FloTrack ranks the top 25 cross country teams and individuals in the NCAA this season which will be LIVE on FloTrack. The No. 15 women's spot goes to Notre Dame, and here's why:

Probable Top Seven:

JR Anna Rohrer (9:11 3K; 15:29 5K; 31:58 10K; 3rd at '16 NCAA XC)
JR Annie Heffernan (9:29 3K; 16:27 5K; 41st at '16 NCAA XC)
FR Anna Sophia Keller (4:52 1600; 10:22 3200; 15th at '16 NXN)
SR Jessica Harris (4:11 1500; 180th at '16 NCAA XC; 10th at '17 NCAA 1500)
JR Rachel DaDamio (16:21 5K; 149th at '16 NCAA XC)
SR Lexi Pelletier (16:13 5K; 174th at '16 NCAA XC)
SR Sydney Forman (16:45 5K; 194th at '16 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Anna Sophia Keller via Effingham, IL (4:52 1600; 10:22 3200; 15th at '16 NXN)

Analysis:

Notre Dame is coming off an 11th-place finish last year and loses only one scorer in veteran Danielle Aragon. The Fighting Irish are led by All-American Anna Rohrer, who was on a roll this spring running 15:29 for 5K and 31:58 for 10K, but faded hard at the NCAA Championship 10K due to a lingering injury she had been dealing with late in the season. If healthy, Rohrer is a contender for the individual title.

Behind Rohrer, Notre Dame looks to Annie Heffernan to have a repeat performance of her 41st-place finish last year. They'll bank on top miler Jessica Harris to make strides at the 6K distance and become a top scorer for the team.

Notre Dame's top freshman Anna Sophia Keller could also make an immediate impact for the squad after having a strong senior year in Illinois, running 10:22 for 3200m and finishing 15th at Nike Cross Nationals.

Ultimately, the Irish's success hinges on Rohrer's health. If she's firing on all cylinders, the Notre Dame women will be legit top-10 contenders.

FULL WOMEN'S RANKINGS HERE