JR Malachy Schrobilgen (13:51 5K; 29:17 10K; 10th NCAA XC ’14)

SO Morgan McDonald (4:03 Mile; 7:55 3K; 75th NCAA XC ’14)

SO Carl Hirsch (1:50 800; 3:45 1500; 107th NCAA XC ’14)

SO Joe Hardy (3:43 1500; 111th NCAA XC ’14)

SO Ryan Kromer (14:31 5K; 99th NCAA XC ’14)

Olin Hacker via Madison, WI (8:58 3200; 2nd FL ’14; 2nd NXN ’14)

Kai Wilmot via Spokane, WA (8:57 3200; 1st NXN ’13)

Mick Byrne’s Badgers were the youngest team at NCAAs last season, as three freshmen finished in their top five in Terre Haute to help Wisconsin to a 10th place finish. The Badgers were led by just a sophomore, Malachy Schrobilgen, who finished 10th individually. 

 

With a full year of experience comes added expectations for this still-young squad. The now-junior Schrobilgen has top five potential this season after backing up his outstanding fall with an All-American finish in the NCAA 10K this past spring. Schrobilgen has won Big 10 XC two straight years.

 

Four sophomores figure to make up Wisco’s pack behind their #1, and this quartet will all be expected to improve in year 2 under Byrne. Aussie Morgan McDonald was a respectable 75th in Terre Haute as a true freshman, finishing the season as the Badgers’ #2 man. McDonald had a couple impressive performances during indoor, including a victory in the Iowa State 3K in 7:55. Even despite redshirting outdoor, McDonald has top 40 written all over him for 2015. 

 

Ryan Kromer, Carl Hirsch, and Joe Hardy finished within just seven seconds of each other at NCAAs as freshmen, and they would really boost Wisco’s podium chances this season with a similar pack running strategy, albeit one with a much lower finish for each man. This frosh trio were all in the top 20 at Big Ten’s, and with a year in Madison under their belt, should improve dramatically in 2015. 

 

Don’t forget about two very talented freshmen on Byrne’s roster in true frosh Olin Hacker and redshirt Kai Wilmot. The local product Hacker finished 2nd at both Foot Locker and NXN last fall, while Wilmot won NXN in 2013, but sat out all of last season. Either one, or both of the pair could crack Wisco’s top seven in 2015.

 

After two straight years away from the podium after three consecutive years on it from 2010-2012, the Wisconsin Badgers appear destined for a return to the top 4 in Louisville. Schrobilgen is truly one of the nation’s best, and with his teammates now caught up to pace in the NCAA system, 2015 could be huge for the men from Madison.