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. The No. 4 DII women’s spot goes to Chico State and here's why:

Projected Top Five:

SR Nora Pizzella (17:18 5K; 52nd at ‘18 NCAA XC)

SR Desirae Jones (63rd at ‘18 NCAA XC)

JR Alexandria Tucker (16:57 5K; 35:11 10K; 128th at ‘18 NCAA XC)

SR Talia Swangler (84th at ‘18 NCAA XC)

JR Haley Boynton (70th at ‘17 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Angelica Salas via Glendale CC (Ran unattached in 2018)

Analysis: 

Like their highly accomplished male counterparts, the women of Chico State have been a force atop Division II for nearly two decades. In 16 of the last 18 seasons, the Wildcats have placed top 10 at the national championships. With five of their top seven returning from last year’s eighth-place squad and plenty of room to improve for all, Chico is setting their sights much higher than just the top 10 in 2019.

Unlike most high-ranking teams, the Chico State women do not have a clear No. 1 this season, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing for coach Gary Towne’s crew. The Wildcats bring back four women who have placed in the top 100 at NCAAs and another, Alexandria Tucker, who has excellent track pedigree. Nora Pizzella was the team’s No. 1 in Pittsburgh last fall, but Tucker is a sleeper for the leading role after finishing as the team’s top scorer in three meets in 2018.

Just as Tucker disappointed last fall by placing 128th at nationals, fellow junior Haley Boynton also didn’t have her best day. Boynton took 103rd in Pittsburgh after notching a 70th-place showing as a frosh in 2017, but Towne saw progression on the track this spring and he believes she’s a top-50 threat this year. The same goes for Desirae Jones, who was 63rd in 2018.

Having no clear low stick knocks the Wildcats back a rung from the star-studded teams ahead of them, but Chico State has the pieces to make a podium run in 2018 given all their experience and potential. It also doesn’t hurt that the 2019 NCAA Championships are being held just down the road in Sacramento.

FULL RANKINGS HERE