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. 7 DII women’s spot goes to Michigan Tech and here's why:

Projected Top Five:

SR Emily Byrd (17:02 5K; 35:29 10K; 20th at ‘18 NCAA XC)

SO Gabrielle Feber (17:27 5K; 44th at ‘18 NCAA XC)

SO Michelle Bollini (113th at ‘18 NCAA XC)

JR Carly Huggins (153rd at ‘18 NCAA XC)

SR Madisyn Estkowski (2:17 800; 4:58 1500)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

N/A

Analysis: 

The Huskies from Michigan Tech remarkably progressed from eighth in the Midwest region in 2017 all the way to seventh in the country last fall, an ascent spurred on, in large part, to the drastic improvement of No. 1 Emily Byrd. The senior-to-be went from 26th at regionals two years ago to 20th in the country in 2018, and her arrival as a veritable star has Tech in position to maintain their growth in 2019.

Byrd isn’t the only potential All-American on the roster, either. Gabrielle Feber missed such a nod by just five seconds last November as a true freshman, a promising campaign that Feber supported with a great first track season. She and Byrd running up to their abilities in November could catapult Michigan Tech even higher up the results page than last year.

That promise can only be realized if the rest of the roster steps up, too. Michelle Bollini and Carly Huggins ran at nationals last fall, but at least one of those two will need to crack the top 100 this year for the Huskies to stay in the top 10. And the fifth runner is a bit of a question mark after the squad lost three NCAA runners to graduation.

FULL RANKINGS HERE