2019 FloXC Show

2019 FloXC Countdown: #9 Wisconsin Men

2019 FloXC Countdown: #9 Wisconsin Men

The No. 9 men's spot goes to Wisconsin.

Aug 21, 2019 by Gordon Mack
2019 FloXC Countdown: #9 Wisconsin Men

Follow our 2019 FloXC Countdown, where FloTrack ranks the top 25 cross country teams and individuals in the NCAA this season which will be LIVE on FloTrack. And, be sure to watch our LIVE FloXC Podium Reveal Show Monday, August 26th at 10 AM CT. The No. 9 men’s spot goes to Wisconsin and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

SR Oliver Hoare (3:54 Mile; 7:48 3K; 17th at ’18 NCAA XC)

SR Olin Hacker (7:53 3K; 13:59 5K; 56th at ’18 NCAA XC)

SR Ben Eidenschink (13:57 5K; 28:55 10K; 104th at ’18 NCAA XC)

SO Shuaib Aljabaly (14:34 5K; 29:47 10K; 1st at ’19 USATF U20 XC)

FR Jackson Sharp (4:05 Mile; 8:14 3K; 14:25 5K)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Jackson Sharp via Australia (4:05 Mile; 8:14 3K; 14:25 5K)

Analysis:

The Wisconsin Badgers are coming off an 8th place finish last season highlighted by the individual win by senior Morgan McDonald. Despite losing McDonald to graduation coach Mick Byrne has another formidable top ten caliber team centered around returning seniors Oliver Hoare and Olin Hacker. Hoare and Hacker are both capable of finishing in the top-20 and top-40 respectively based on their recent xc and track resumes.

The key to the Badgers’ success will be how well their #3-#5 runners perform in Terre Haute. Projected to fill those roles are senior Ben Eidenschink, sophomore Shuaib Aljabaly and incoming Australian freshman Jackson Sharp. Eidenschink has run a sub-29 minute 10k on the track, Aljabaly recently won the USATF U20 XC Championships and Sharp has run impressive track personal bests as a prep in Australia. If these three men all have great days in November the Badgers will be a top ten team once again.

FULL RANKINGS HERE