Follow our 2017 FloXC Countdown, where we rank the pre-season top 25 cross country teams and individuals heading into the NCAA season which will be LIVE on FloTrack. The No. 22 men's spot goes to the Portland, and here's why:

Probable Top Four:

SR Jeff Thies (3:40 1500; 14:04 5K; 70th at '16 NCAA XC, 7th at '17 NCAA 1500)
JR Nick Hauger (14:03 5K; 30:09 10K; 6th at '16 NCAA XC West XC; 154th at '16 NCAA XC)
JR Noah Schutte (8:42 3K SC; 29:05 10K; 12th at '17 NCAA 3K SC)
SO Caleb Webb (3:48 1500; 14:00 5K; 3rd at '14 NXN)

Fifth Man Battle:

FR Reuben Kiprono (14:50 5K; 29:36 10K)
JR Gabriel Haughey (14:16 5K; 29:44 10K)
SO Tristan Peloquin (14:16 5K; 29:55 10K)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Evert Silva via Fresno, CA (4:11 Mile; 8:56 2 Mile; 31st at '16 NXN)

Analysis:

The Pilots return just two runners from the team that placed 13th a year ago in Terre Haute, but the Portland men looked prepared to reload for their 18th showing at the NCAA championships. The two returners are senior Jeff Thies, who ran as the second man in Terre Haute in 70th place, and junior Nick Hauger, who was the Pilots' top finisher at the NCAA west region in sixth place overall and was the seventh man at NCAAs.

Junior Noah Schutte will also provide some leadership for the squad after posting a second team All-American finish in the 3K steeplechase at the NCAA Championships. The Dutchman ran PBs of 8:42 for the steeple and 29:05 for the 10K this spring.

The heart of the squad includes several promising youngsters, among them sophomore Caleb Webb, a blue-chip recruit who won the 2015 California state 3200m title and placed third at the 2014 Nike Cross Nationals. He ran 14:00 for 5K as a redshirt freshman this spring. Reuben Kiprono, a native of Kenya, will race cross country for the first time after lowering his 10K PB to 29:36 and making an appearance in the event at the NCAA west prelims.

FULL MEN'S RANKINGS HERE