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. 3 DII men’s spot goes to Adams State, and here's why:

Projected Top Five:

SR Kale Adams (8:05 3K; 8:45 3K SC; 3rd at ‘17 NCAA XC)

SR Joshua Joseph (14:10 5K; 9th at ‘17 NCAA XC)

JR Miguel Villar (8:44 3K; 69th at ‘18 NCAA XC)

SO Isaiah Rodarte (8:15 3K; 14:18 5K; 82nd at ‘18 NCAA XC)

JR Paddy Robb (3:47 1500; 101st at ‘18 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Dane Blomquist via Great Britain (14:16 5K)

Analysis: 

The Adams State men did not take kindly to the wet and muddy conditions at NCAAs last December. That day in Pittsburgh, the Grizzlies finished fourth, their worst placing at the national meet since 1996 and their first time outside the top two since 2002. After placing all five scorers in the top 20 in 2017, ASU had only two All-Americans last fall, a disappointment they’ll look to correct despite graduating their top two.

Fortunately for Damon Martin, the winningest coach in Division II cross country history, Adams State has two men coming back who have excelled at NCAAs in the past. Seniors Kale Adams and Joshua Joseph were each top-10 finishers two years ago, but neither was at full strength in 2018. Adams, third in 2017, was the Grizzlies top finisher at nationals that year, but could only manage a 44th-place showing for an encore. After a decent track season, expect the Aussie to be much closer to his form from two seasons ago.

Joseph is much more of a mystery, as he plummeted to 119th in Pittsburgh, a difference of 110 places from the year prior. His track season was also less than inspiring, so it’s unclear if Joseph can get back to his All-American ways. But the promise of his potential should have ASU at least optimistic about their title chances in Sacramento.

While the Grizzlies don’t have the depth they’re accustomed to in their 3-5 runners, all of Miguel Villar, Isaiah Rodarte, and Paddy Robb ran at NCAAs last fall. The wretched conditions made for a tough situation to debut at nationals, so the experience will be invaluable for this talented trio. Rodarte, in particular, is a top-20 sleeper as he was fifth in the highly-competitive RMAC Championships as a redshirt frosh in 2018.

FULL RANKINGS HERE