Follow our 2019 FloXC Countdown, where FloTrack ranks the top 10 cross country teams in NCAA DII/DIII this season. The 2019 NCAA Cross Country Championships will be LIVE on FloTrack for all three divisions. And be sure to watch our LIVE FloXC Podium Reveal Show Monday, Aug. 26, at 10 AM CT. The No. 9 DIII men’s spot goes to Amherst, and here's why:

Projected Top Five:

SR Clark Ricciardelli (14:28 5K; 25th at ‘18 NCAA XC)

JR Ajay Sarathy (74th at ‘18 NCAA XC)

SR Spencer Ferguson-Dryden (3:52 1500; 111th at ‘17 NCAA XC)

SR Estevan Velez (130th at ‘18 NCAA XC)

SO Matthew Bradley (225th at ‘18 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

N/A

Analysis:

(Note: After publication, FloTrack received word that Clark Ricciardelli is not competing for Amherst this fall)

The Mammoths of Amherst bring back their No. 1 runner from 2018’s sixth-place NCAA squad — Clark Ricciardelli — who has top-10 potential this fall after placing second indoors in the 5K. The senior-to-be leads two other scorers from Amherst’s 2018 NCAA team, and that experience will be invaluable as they look to battle for the DIII podium once again.

A big key for coach Cassie Funke-Harris’ men will be the production from 2-3-4 runners Ajay Sarathy, Spencer Ferguson-Dryden, and Estevan Velez. The Mammoths don’t have quite the quality of depth that they had last year when they placed four in the top 75, but the return of Spencer Ferguson-Dryden to their NCAA lineup will be a tremendous help. Ferguson-Dryden missed nationals last year, but he had a great spring that culminated in his first NCAA outdoor appearance. 

Beyond their top four, Amherst will need a harrier without proven NCAA success to step up by November in order for them to live up to their potential. If they can find that, this group could even exceed their placing from 2018.

FULL RANKINGS HERE