Follow our 2019 FloXC Countdown, where FloTrack ranks the top 10 cross country teams in NCAA DII/DIII this season. The 2019 NCAA Cross Country Championships will be LIVE on FloTrack for all three divisions. And be sure to watch our LIVE FloXC Podium Reveal Show Monday, Aug. 26, at 10 AM CT. The No. 8 DII men’s spot goes to Alaska Anchorage, and here's why:

Projected Top Five:

JR Wesley Kirui (8:52 3K SC; 14:18 5K; 9th at ‘18 NCAA XC)

JR Felix Kemboi (8:20 3K; 14:28 5K; 54th at ‘18 NCAA XC)

JR Nickson Koech (14:54 5K; 78th at ‘18 NCAA XC)

SO Faisal Ibrahim (130th at ‘18 NCAA XC)

SR Eduardo Orozco (1:54 800; 3:58 1500)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

N/A

Analysis: 

As is typical of an Alaska-Anchorage team, the 2019 Seawolves have a glaring lack of depth with just seven men total on their roster. An injury to a top-five runner would all but derail their chances of fielding a competitive NCAA squad in November. But if everything goes to plan this fall, UAA has the pieces to threaten for a podium finish with a top-10 low stick, Wesley Kirui, and plenty of experienced teammates to go with him.

Kirui is the engine that makes this team go, and he’ll be expected to improve on his ninth-place NCAA finish in 2018 after a strong spring on the track. He has a strong duo behind him in Felix Kemboi and Nickson Koech, both of whom are better than their 54th and 78th XC finishes would indicate. Kemboi, in particular, has huge upside as he was second at the West region last fall and is coming off a monster track season. It’s feasible that the ‘Wolves could place two men in the top 15.

Anchorage will have to get production from 4-5 runners, Faisel Ibrahim and Eduardo Orozco, to make a podium run, and their unproven status is why we currently have this squad ranked eighth. But both guys have top-100 potential, giving this team every reason to dream about a trophy in November.

FULL RANKINGS HERE