Follow our 2018 FloXC Countdown, where FloTrack ranks the top cross country teams in the NCAA this season, which will be LIVE on FloTrack. The No. 8 women’s spot in DII goes to Colorado School of Mines, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

SR Chloe Cook (4:50 Mile; 17:26 5K; 71st at ’17 NCAA XC)

SR Megan Wenham (10:29 3K SC; 73rd at ’16 NCAA XC)

JR Brook Eberle (4:32 1500; 93rd at ’17 NCAA XC)

SR Kara Burton (4:33 1500; 110th at ’17 NCAA XC)

JR Sydney Fesenmeyer (126th at ’17 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

N/A

Analysis:

An experienced top five of three seniors and two juniors gives Colorado School of Mines top-10 potential—and maybe more—after placing 11th at the 2017 NCAA XC Championships. The Orediggers will miss All-American Molly Reicher, who graduated this spring, but every other member of the top seven is back in 2018 to provide continuity for a team that has improved their nationals finish each of the last two years.

CSM has three runners with top-100 cross country finishes at NCAAs, including the projected top two of Chloe Cook and Megan Wenham. The seniors each had solid track seasons this spring, particularly Cook, who notched her first All-American honor in the indoor mile. Wenham was in All-American position at nationals last year through halfway before fading hard to 100th, but her 73rd place from two years ago is more indicative of her ability. Brook Eberle rounds out the top three for Mines, a junior who has run admirably on the NCAA squad in each of her first two seasons.

Kara Burton and Sydney Fesenmeyer— both NCAA competitors last fall— should make up the final two scorers for the Orediggers, although this team has reinforcements if one happens to slip up. Sophomore Madeline Geesen finished a spot behind her teammate Fesenmeyer at nationals in 127th, and her presence provides a little added security for a team looking to improve their nationals finish for the third straight year.

FULL RANKINGS HERE