2017 FloXC Countdown

2017 FloXC Countdown: #5 Chico State Men

2017 FloXC Countdown: #5 Chico State Men

2017 FloXC Countdown: #5 Chico State Men

Sep 10, 2017 by Lincoln Shryack
2017 FloXC Countdown: #5 Chico State Men
Follow our 2017 FloXC Countdown, where FloTrack ranks the top ten cross country teams and individuals in the NCAA this season which will be LIVE on FloTrack. The No. 5 men's spot goes to Chico State, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

SR Kyle Medina (3:41 1500; 13:54 5K; 11th at '16 NCAA XC)
SR Connor Fisher (9:01 3K SC; 14:14 5K; 56th at '16 NCAA XC)
JR Arturo Arevalo (111th at '16 NCAA XC)
JR Steven Velarde (14:38 5K; 30:47 10K; 150th at '15 NCAA XC)
JR Luis Ortega (1st at '16 CCCAA XC)

Analysis:

Chico State landed on the podium at NCAAs last fall for the first time since 2011, and now they'll bring an experienced group into the new season looking to grab another trophy at nationals. Although No. 1 man Williams Reyes (sixth at '16 NCAA XC) is gone, four of the top seven are back, including All-American Kyle Medina. The senior-to-be was 11th at NCAAs and has elite track speed to go along with his XC pedigree; Medina has finished second in the NCAA 1500 each of the last two seasons and has run 3:41. A 13:54 5k PR this past spring is a good sign as well.

The progression of fellow senior Connor Fisher will be crucial to this team's success. All four podium teams last fall had at least two men in the top 30, and Chico will almost certainly have to get that type of finish from Fisher to have any chance of returning there. The good news is that Fisher had a stellar spring, recording PRs in the mile, steeple, and 5K, which bodes well for him improving on his 56th-place showing last November.

The Wildcats settle safely into the fifth slot in our countdown due to a solid returning unit, but the four teams ahead of them seem much stronger on paper. And while another top-five showing would certainly mark a fine year for coach Gary Towne and Co., Chico State could get more if their mid-pack guys can rise to an All-American level.

FULL MEN'S RANKINGS HERE