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. 4 women’s spot in DII goes to U-Mary, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

SR Jaiden Schuette (4:57 Mile; 17:26 5K; 17th at ’17 NCAA XC)

JR Kate Fox (4:37 1500; 29th at ’17 NCAA XC)

JR Ida Narbuvoll (16:44 5K; 34:39 10K; 12th at ’16 NCAA XC)

JR Bree Erickson (4:27 1500; 55th at ’17 NCAA XC)

SO Sydney Wendt (5:09 Mile; 134th at ’17 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

N/A

Analysis:

Despite losing superstar and former NCAA champion Alexis Zeis from their runner-up team a year ago, the U-Mary women remain solidly in the podium hunt with three returning All-Americans lessening the blow of Zeis’ graduation.

The Marauders were led to their second place finish last fall— best in school history— by four All-Americans, and two of them return in 2018. After finishing just 77th and 75th at NCAAs in 2015 and 2016, Jaiden Schuette had a huge breakthrough in 2017 with her 17th place finish. That progress only continued this spring, as Schuette qualified for the NCAA outdoor meet for the first time. Kate Fox is the other returning honoree, and like Schuette, could be a top-15 contender this season after taking 29th last fall.

A lot hinges on the success of junior Ida Narbuvoll. The Norwegian runner sat out last cross country season and ran just one so-so track race all spring, but a return to form for Narbuvoll could make her the team’s top runner in 2018. She’s barely raced at all over the last year, so expectations are surely limited, but her incredibly high ceiling makes her an interesting wildcard. If she can somehow recapture her previous 12th place NCAA cross country fitness by season’s end, this team takes on a whole new look.

U-Mary has solid and experienced contributors at their four and five spots, which is always reassuring for a team looking to crack a top-four finish at nationals. Junior Bree Erickson should improve from 55th after a nice track season, and could be an All-American if so. Sophomore Sydney Wendt will need to be better than 134th for the Marauders to nab a trophy, but that will be the expectation now that she has NCAA experience. 

Despite graduating their top runner, the U-Mary ladies shouldn’t be overlooked in 2018. 

FULL RANKINGS HERE