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. 7 women’s spot in DIII goes to Carleton, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

SO Amanda Mosborg (17:35 5K; 61st at ’17 NCAA XC)

SR Samantha Schnirring (17:56 5K; 120th at ’17 NCAA XC)

SO Fiona Casey (153rd at ’17 NCAA XC)

SO Emma Greenlee (18:12 5K; 37:34 10K)

JR Ruthie Boyd (237th at ‘17 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

N/A

Analysis:

By returning four of their top seven from a team that finished fifth at nationals last fall— best in school history— the Carleton women are positioned to remain in the national spotlight in 2018. The Knights do unfortunately lose their top two runners from 2017 in All-Americans Meg Mathison and Emily Kaegi, but with four NCAA veterans, Carleton is still a top 10 team.

Amanda Mosborg turned in a stellar freshman season that culminated with a 61st place finish at nationals, and she could really take off in her second year. A solid track season has Mosborg in position to battle for a top 40 spot. Senior Samantha Schnirring is still looking for her breakout NCAA race, but 2018 will mark her fourth appearance at the national meet. That experience matters for the Knights.

Fiona Casey, Ruthie Boyd, and Emma Greenlee should round out the top five, giving coach Donna Ricks the depth necessary to make a run for a trophy. Greenlee didn’t run at NCAAs last fall, but she was the No. 4 runner at regionals and ran a nice 10K in the spring. She has top 100 ability on paper, which would be a huge boon to this team’s top 10 chances.

FULL RANKINGS HERE