UPDATE: Iowa State's pre-season ranking has been changed to No. 23 due to a last minute NCAA transfer.

Follow our 2018 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 Tuesday, September 11th at 10 AM CT. The No. 23 women's spot goes to Iowa State, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

SR Anne Frisbie (15:53 5K; 33:42 10K; 45th at ‘17 NCAA XC)

SO Cailie Logue (9:16 3K; 15:56 5K; 79th at ‘17 NCAA XC)

SR Evelyne Guay (2:05 800; 4:22 1500; 175th at ‘17 NCAA XC)

SO Amanda Vestri (9:21 3K; 16:10 5K; 35:11 10K; 160th at ‘17 NCAA XC)

SR Kelly Naumann (9:32 3K; 16:46 5K; 10:13 3K SC; 235th at ‘17 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Morgan Gigandet via Troy, OH (10:40 3200; 20th at '17 NXN)

Analysis:

The Cyclones took home the Big 12 Championship last fall and finished 20th at the 2017 NCAA Cross Country Championships. There were no seniors on that squad in Louisville, but there will be big changes in Ames this fall. Andrea Grove-McDonough, the Cyclones coach for the past five years, left the program in August to move to North Carolina. 

Iowa State moved quickly to hire Amy Rudolph on August 14th. Rudolph, a two-time Olympian, spent the last academic year as an assistant coach with Drake University. She inherits a strong squad with the ability to once again be at the top of the Big 12 Conference. 

Frisbie was just outside of All-American positioning last year. Logue and Vestri have international experience after competing at the U20 World Championships this July and look ready for big sophomore efforts.

Their youth is balanced out by the three seniors--Frisbie, Naumann and Guay.   

FULL RANKINGS HERE