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. 2 DII men’s spot goes to Colorado Mines, and here's why:

Projected Top Seven:

JR Luc Hagen (30:10 10K; 33rd at ‘18 NCAA XC)

SO Luke Julian (3:44 1500; 14:10 5K; 41st at ‘18 NCAA XC)

JR Jake Mitchem (8:56 3K SC; 67th at ‘18 NCAA XC)

JR Derek Steele (9:12 3K SC; 66th at ‘18 NCAA XC)

SR Ben Schneiderman (30:07 10K; 43rd at ‘16 NCAA XC)

SO Kyle Moran (14:29 5K)

SO Dylan Ko (15:00 5K; 30:42 10K)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

N/A

Analysis: 

The Colorado Mines men have placed on the DII NCAA XC podium each of the last five years, including their national title in 2015 and last year’s close runner-up finish. The Orediggers were just 10 points behind champion Grand Valley State last fall, but CSM faces a challenge to get back to that level with the departure of their top three from 2018.

But this group — stocked with men who have had NCAA XC success — is certainly up to the challenge, and will once again be gunning for a title this fall. Mines’ top two of Luc Hagen and Luke Julian (two spellings of one name in the top two is a feat) ran well at nationals last fall, and each man qualified for NCAA indoors and outdoors in 2019. Julian, in particular, looks primed for a breakout after placing fifth in the indoor 3K and sixth in the outdoor 1500m.

The Orediggers' projected 3-5 runners have all finished in the top 70 at nationals within the last two seasons. Derek Steele and Jake Mitchem were the team’s No. 6 and 7 men in Pittsburgh last December and should improve as the pair step into a more prominent role this season. Expect at least one of the two to be a top-40 guy this fall. Ben Schneiderman was injured last year, but an All-American track season has him set up to improve on his 43rd-place finish from 2017.

The depth of this roster is truly impressive, which is saying something considering that Mines lost three top-20 finishers. A championship is attainable with this many All-American candidates coming back, a reality that could come true if one or two of their top runners can progress into the top 10.

FULL RANKINGS HERE