The 2018 cross country season may be done, but is it ever too early to talk about next season? Check out our 2019 NCAA cross country podium team predictions below.

#1 NORTHERN ARIZONA (1st in 2018)

JR Luis Grijalva (23rd in 2018)

JR Blaise Ferro (26th in 2018)

FR Brodey Hasty (4:00 Mile; 8:00 3K)

SR Geordie Beamish (39th in 2018)

FR Theo Quax (29:59 Road 10K)

The defending champions return three All-Americans and will look to two redshirt freshmen in 2019 to fill out the top five. Top recruit Brodey Hasty will be a formidable top-40 finisher and New Zealander Theo Quax will look to continue fellow countryman Matt Baxter’s success.

#2 BYU (2nd in 2018)

SO Conner Mantz (10th in 2018)

JR Clayson Shumway (32nd in 2018)

SR Daniel Carney (42nd in 2017)

SR Jacob Heslington (50th in 2018)

SR Brayden McLelland (62nd in 2018)

The runner-ups return four from the top-65 and will add redshirt senior Daniel Carney back into the line-up. Carney suffered a stress fracture earlier this season, but was poised to have a top-20 finish if healthy.

#3 IOWA STATE (7th in 2018)

SR Edwin Kurgat (3rd in 2018)

SR Festus Lagat (23rd at Nuttycombe)

SR Andrew Jordan (46th in 2018)

JR Stanley Langat (53rd in 2017)

SO Chad Johnson (61st in 2018)

The Cyclones graduate only one man from their seventh place squad. They will also add to their line-up three potential All-Americans who did not race at this year’s championship due to injury/redshirt, Festus Lagat (23rd at Nuttycombe), Stanley Langat (53rd in 2017), and Thomas Pollard (45th in 2016).

#4 WASHINGTON (6th in 2018)

SR Tanner Anderson (19th in 2018)

JR Tibebu Proctor (38th in 2018)

SR Andy Snyder (67th in 2018)

JR Talon Hull (80th in 2018)

JR Gavin Parpart (122nd in 2018)

The Huskies return six of their top seven from their sixth place squad. With another year of training under new coach Andy Powell look for them to make even more improvements. Notably, Pac-12 runner-up Talon Hull was 80th overall and should have a better race in 2019.

#1 NEW MEXICO (2nd in 2018)

JR Weini Kelati (2nd in 2018)

SR Ednah Kurgat (5th in 2018)

JR Adva Cohen (43rd in 2018)

SR Hannah Nuttall (71st in 2018)

JR Alondra Negron (85th in 2017)

The Lobos once again will have multiple low sticks in Weini Kelati and Ednah Kurgat. Behind those two will be Adva Cohen who should improve drastically after her first NCAA championships. Also, the Lobos will return their 2017 5th runner Alondra Negron who missed the Championship season due to injury.

#2 COLORADO (1st in 2018)

SR Tabor Scholl (15th in 2018)

SR Sage Hurta (22nd in 2018)

FR Emily Covert (10:05 2 Mile; Undefeated in H.S. XC this season)

SR Brianna Schwartz (23rd at Pre-Nationals)

SO Holly Bent (80th in 2018)

The defending champions graduate a majority of their roster but do return two top-25 individuals in Tabor Scholl and Sage Hurta. They also add Brianna Schwartz to their line-up who was their 8th woman all-season long. Notably, incoming freshman Emily Covert will make an immediate impact for the Buffaloes. The high school senior is currently undefeated this season in cross country.

#3 BYU (7th in 2018)

SR Erica Birk-Jarvis (7th in 2018)

SR Courtney Wayment (23rd in 2018)

SO Whittni Orton (2nd at Joe Piane Invite)

SR Olivia Hoj (86th in 2018)

SO Sadie Sargent (124th in 2018)

The Cougars return two top-25 finishers and will add All-American miler Whittni Orton to their line-up in 2019. Orton last raced for the Cougars at the Joe Piane Invitational where she finished second behind her teammate Erica Birk-Jarvis but beat notable athletes like Anna Rohrer of Notre Dame and Aubrey Roberts or Northwestern.

#4 BOISE STATE (6th in 2018)

SR Allie Ostrander (6th in 2018)

JR Emily Venters (39th in 2018)

SO Maxine Paholek (89th in 2018)

SR Clare O’Brien (161st in 2018)

FR Hannah O’Connor (4:22 1500; 9:25 3K)

The Broncos return two All-Americans led by Allie Ostrander. In 2019 they will add New Zealand freshman Hannah O’Connor to their line-up and will also see massive improvements from senior Clare O’Brien who finished 161st despite finishing 10th at Nuttycombe earlier this season.