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. 5 women’s spot in DII goes to Alaska Anchorage, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

SR Zennah Jepchumba (17:14 5K; 32nd at ’17 NCAA XC)

JR Emmanuelah Chelimo (16:59 5K; 44th at ’17 NCAA XC)

SR Danielle McCormick (2:06 800; 45th at ’17 NCAA XC)

SR Kimberly Coscia (17:38 5K; 75th at ’15 NCAA XC)

FR Grace Gannon (17:59 5K)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

N/A

Analysis:

Gone is 2017 NCAA XC individual champion Caroline Kurgat, but a strong core of four top-75 NCAA finishers should keep Alaska-Anchorage among the nation’s best teams. 

It’s seemingly counterintuitive to think that this team can lose a national champion and then replicate their fifth place finish from a year ago, but with several top-10 teams being hurt by graduation and UAA possessing three potential All-Americans, the Seawolves can still be a top-five team.

How much the trio of Zennah Jepchumba, Emmanuelah Chelimo, and Danielle McCormick improve this season will be fascinating to watch. 

Jepchumba notched her first All-American nod last fall, and then collected numerous PRs on the track this spring. While a top-five performance like Kurgat’s from last year probably isn’t happening, UAA can expect Jepchumba to be better than 32nd in 2018. Chelimo was a big surprise at 44th in her first NCAA Championship, but after breaking 17 minutes in the 5K in April, she looks legit. The same is true for Danielle McCormick, who won the NCAA indoor 800m in March. Track may be more of her speciality, but a 45th place showing proved she can be an All-American on the grass, too.

Kimberly Coscia was just 108th last November, but her 75th place finish from 2015 shows her true potential. She’ll be the ‘Wolves fourth scorer.

The Seawolves have a big question mark at their 5th spot. With only nine ladies on the roster, there’s not many options available, but freshman Grace Gannon and her 17:59 5K PR seems like the best bet. This team has solid talent, but not much depth, so they must rely on everyone staying healthy and performing up to their capabilities to stay in the top five.

FULL RANKINGS HERE