RUN JUNKIE: Stranger Things Coming To FloTrack

We all experienced 'Stranger Things' this past summer. Now it's time for 'Stranger Things' to hit the grass and roads this fall.

THE GIRL FROM BOISE
Fresh off of her eighth-place finish in the 5K at the Olympic Trials, Allie Ostrander is back as an older and wiser sophomore. Boise State’s leader finished runner-up at last year’s NCAA Cross Country Championships and will be on the hunt for her first NCAA title in November. 

THE ORANGE DEFENSE
The Syracuse Orange battled to victory in Louisville last year by taking down two-time defending champion Colorado in an 82-point spread, nine points lower than the Buffalos’ total. The team’s victory was a result of each individual stepping up in a big way, notably fourth and fifth men Philo Germano and Joel Hubbard who finished 39th and 47th, respectively. The Orange, led by All American Justyn Knight, is out to replicate the breakthrough and defend their top podium finish. 

GOAT
Edward Cheserek cemented himself as the modern day king of the NCAA when he captured the 5K at the 2016 NCAA Outdoor Championships, bringing his career total to 15 NCAA titles. Of all the NCAA seasons — cross country, indoor and outdoor — Cheserek and UTEP’s Suleiman Nyambui stand at a tie for owning the most championships. With this fall marking the senior’s final cross country season, Cheserek seeks to make history once again on his quest for a fourth NCAA cross country title. 

FUTSUM’S LAST SHOT
Northern Arizona’s Futsum Zienasellassie has finished behind Edward Cheserek numerous times during his college career — fourth at 2013 NCAA XC, third at 2014 NCAA XC, fourth at 2016 NCAA indoor 5K, and second at 2016 NCAA outdoor 10K. Will the fifth year senior put an end to that streak in his final race against King Cheserek?

THE WETMORE FACTOR
Legendary head coach Mark Wetmore has produced six national title-winning teams and countless All Americans in his 21-year tenure as Colorado head coach. His years of success at the helm have inspired the term "the Wetmore Factor," which consists of five components. This year, the "Wetmore Factor" will see results in the No. 1-ranked women’s team which boasts a lethal returning squad led by the 1-2 punch of Erin Clark and Kaitlyn Benner. Wetmore has already stated that this squad may be the best women’s team ever assembled, and we believe him. 

THE FRIARS
The No. 2-ranked Providence women’s squad will look to put the pressure on No. 1-ranked Colorado with several athletes returning from breakthrough track seasons. Four seniors in All American Sarah Collins, Big East champion Catarina Rocha, 16:14 5K runner Lauren Mullins, and the addition of All American Wake Forest transfer Samantha Jones will prove to be a serious threat to the Buffalos’ NCAA title goals. 

BROTHERLY LOVE’S AUSSIE
We admired Patrick Tiernan’s fearless race tactics at last year’s NCAA Cross Country Championships when he took the pace out hard in an attempt to break Edward Cheserek in Louisville. Unfortunately for Tiernan, the 15-time NCAA champion prevailed in his quest to repeat. But the Villanova All American’s tactics were not forgotten and made him a certain threat for King Cheserek. 

THE FRESHMAN DUCK
High school phenom Katie Rainsberger comes to Eugene with a long list of fast credentials that should prepare her for a legendary career at Oregon. Her most recent accomplishment came at the IAAF World Junior Championships where she finished seventh in the 3K in a U.S. No. 1 all-time junior outdoor mark. Her personal bests of 4:12 in the 1500m, 9:00 in the 3K and 16:23 for 5K (XC), put her way ahead of the curve and could help her become the next great Duck.

HUDDLE DEBUT
After breaking the American record in the 10K at the Olympic Games, how fast can Molly Huddle go in her marathon debut? All will be revealed when Huddle make her debut over 26.2 in New York City on November 6. 

SAN DIEGO vs. PORTLAND
Will Nike Cross Nationals defending champ Casey Clinger and the top Californian competition race the best individuals at Foot Locker or run for their team at Nike Cross Nationals?