FloAwards Part 3, 11.23.08

Nov 23, 2008 by FloTrack Staff

MEN Individual	WOMEN Individual
1 Sam Chelanga (8)	1 Sally Kipyego (14)
Liberty Quite the contrast in weather from Pre-Nats to tomorrow's championship race. Will it change Chelanga shot at a title? Probably not, but Rupp will give him his all.	Texas Tech Sally has proved her entire career she's the best female runner in the country. On 11/24 she looks to dominate the field, again, and stay undefeated in her XC career.
2 Galen Rupp (6)	2 Susan Kuijken
Oregon Rupp's the most experienced runner on the men's side. One of his goals this year was taking an individual title at nationals. Tomorrow, he get's his shot.	Florida State Kuijken may have a shot at Kipyego if the stars align and she runs like she did at Pre-Nats. On the team side, FSU is counting on Susan to lead them to a top-3 finish.
3 German Fernandez	3 Kendra Schaaf
Oklahoma State Fernandez loves running on the big stage. Monday gives him a shot at collegiate stardom as the OSU men's team is also looking for a team title.	Washington Schaaf is bumped up to #3 on the FloAwards ranking on the even of tomorrow's National Championship race. May end up being the top freshman of the year, men or women, once things are wrapped up
Sleeper Shadrack Songok	Sleeper Brie Felnagle
Texas A&M Songak still has a shot at an overall title if the top guns fall off pace. With so many runners, he has to get out early and keep his composure.	UNC Felnagle and Holesh are the only Tarheel Women runners represented at Nationals by earning all-region honors and achieving individual qualifier status.
Others Receiving Votes: Ryan Vail (OSU), Ben True(Dartmouth)	Others Receiving Votes: Hollie Knight (Auburn), Tasmin Fanning (VT), Alex Kosinski (Oregon), Sarah Bowman (Tennessee), Mel Lawrence (Washington), Lilian Baradu (Texas Tech), Nicole Blood (Oregon)
MEN TEAM	WOMEN TEAM
1 Oklahoma State (10)	1 Washington(12)
Cowboys On the eve of the big dance, the OSU Men's team still sits first among our pollsters. Could that change by tomorrow morning? We'll see ...	Huskies Dawgs are for real. Chocolate chip cookies and all, this UW squad makes it look easy. Can they do it one more time and grab the nations top honors?
2 Oregon (4)	2 Oregon (2)
Ducks Oregon is at full strength. Rupp is a force, and Puskedra has in some respects, taken this team on his shoulders. Huge watch party in Eugene ready to cheer them on.	Ducks The in most experienced squad on the women's side, Oregon's may be able to sneak around a nervous Husky squad ... a battle looms Monday morning between these rival schools.
3 Colorado	2 Florida State (2)
Buffaloes Junior Jordan Kyle has led the Buffs in the last 3 races. He is the only Buff on the current roster who has earned All-American honors on the cross country course.	Seminoles Kuijken will lead FSU on the individual side Monday morning. Can her teammates come through for a top 3 team finish?
Sleeper Iona	Sleeper Princeton
Gaels The No. 8 Iona College men's cross country team earned its fourth straight NCAA Northeast Regional championship in convincing fashion at Van Cortlandt Park	Tigers Guiding the Tigers will be junior Liz Costello. Costello has been the top runner all season, and was the first Princeton runner across the line at regionals, taking 2nd place with a time of 21:15.
Others Receiving Votes: Stanford, Wisconsin, Alabama, Georgetown, Portland	Others Receiving Votes: West Virginia, Arizona State, Villanova, Texas Tech
FLOTRACK FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR	FLOTRACK FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
1 German Fernandez (14)	1 Kendra Schaaf (14)
Oklahoma State He's raced in comfortable meets all season long. Monday morning those vanish, as Fernandez & OSU have a shot to make history.	Washington Taking last weekend off, Schaaf is well-rested and ready to lead the Huskies in Terri Haute. A more experienced Schaaf may turn a National Champion out of the Huskies.
2 Chris Derrick	2 Christine Babcock
Stanford Derrick has led the Cardinal all season. Finally beating Puskedra in West Regionals, Derrick will finally match up head-2-head with Fernandez.	Washington Babcock led the Huskies at West Regional's when Schaaf sat out. She'll be the key for the Huskies
3 Luke Puskedra	3 Laurynne Chetelat
Oregon Luke keeps on trucking. Where would Oregon be without him in 2008? This freshman has taken the Pac-10 by storm and will play a key role in UO's hope to repeat Monday.	Stanford Chetelat will be going all out Monday morning as the Cardinal need huge performance to sneak into the top 5.
Sleeper Colby Lowe	Sleeper Morgane Gay
Oklahoma State Colby's performance Monday may be a deciding factor on whether OSU can take the team national title.	Virginia At the Pre-NCAA meet earlier this season, Morgan and her teammates, finished 23rd in the Women’s 6k White Race. They now sit entered in the national rankings at No. 28.
Others Receiving Votes: Ryan Sheridan (Iona)	Others Receiving Votes: Carly Seymour (Duke), Lacy Oeding (New Mexico)