Follow our 2019 FloXC Countdown, where FloTrack ranks the top 25 cross country teams and individuals in the NCAA this season which will be LIVE on FloTrack. And, be sure to watch our LIVE FloXC Podium Reveal Show Monday, August 26th at 10 AM CT. The No. 21 women’s spot goes to UCLA, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

JR Erika Adler (16:16 5K; 14th at ’18 NCAA West XC)

JR Christina Rice (16:19 5K; 34:14 10K; 23rd at ’18 NCAA West XC)

SR Claire Markey (35:26 10K; 35th at ’18 Pac-12 XC)

SO Monica Hebner (16:45 5K; 33:52 10K; 21st at ’19 NCAA Outdoor 10K)

FR Abby D’Sylva (4:28 1500)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Monica Hebner via Duke (16:45 5K; 33:52 10K; 21st at ’19 NCAA Outdoor 10K)

Abby D’Sylva via Providence (4:28 1500)

Emma Tavella via Danville, CA (4:57 1600)

Sophia Hoelzel via Valencia, CA (4:56 1600)

Analysis:

The UCLA women will contend for an NCAA XC top 25 spot after just missing the cutoff for nationals in 2018. The notoriously tough NCAA West Region produced six national qualifier teams last year as the Bruins placed seventh overall, 19 points behind Oregon State. 

The bright spot? UCLA returns the entirety of their top seven runners from the West Region.

Expect junior Erika Adler to lead the team and provide leadership from her individual NCAA run. She was 136th in Madison after placing 14th in the West Region and 13th at Pac-12s for all-region and all-conference honors. An abbreviated spring track campaign still saw the now-junior clock a 5K PB of 16:16. Fellow junior Christina Rice, last year’s No. 2, wasn’t far off from that with a new 5K PB of 16:19.

Count on newcomer Monica Hebner to make an impact right away. The Duke transfer was 31st in the Southeast Region and 21st in the NCAA 10K final as a true freshman. Her PB of 33:52.83 is already faster than the Bruins’ 37-year-old school record, so the New Jersey native looks poised to make big waves on the West Coast for awhile.

FULL RANKINGS HERE