2019 FloXC Countdown: #8 Oregon Men
2019 FloXC Countdown: #8 Oregon Men
The No. 8 men's spot goes to Oregon.
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. 8 men’s spot goes to Oregon and here's why:
Probable Top Seven:
JR Cooper Teare (7:50 3K; 13:32 5K; 94th at ’18 NCAA XC)
FR Cole Hocker (4:07 1600; 8:56 3200; 1st at ’18 FL XC; 2nd at ’18 NXN)
SR James West (3:35 1500; 7:58 3K; 13:52 5K; 138th at ’18 NCAA XC)
SO Charlie Hunter (7:59 3K; 14:04 5K; 182nd at ’18 NCAA XC)
JR Noah Affolder (8:40 3K SC; 14:07 5K; 190th at ’18 NCAA XC)
SR Jackson Mestler (7:57 3K; 13:46 5K; 73rd at ’18 NCAA XC)
SO Soren Knudsen (8:13 3K; 13:54 5K)
Impact Freshmen/Transfers:
Cole Hocker via Indianapolis, IN (4:07 1600; 8:56 3200; 1st at ’18 FL XC; 2nd at ’18 NXN)
Noah Affolder via Syracuse (8:40 3K SC; 14:07 5K; 190th at ’18 NCAA XC)
Lucky Schreiner via Columbia (14:08 5K)
Analysis:
The Oregon Ducks return six of their top seven from last year’s 15th place finish. Unfortunately, most of Oregon’s runners had sub-par days in Madison last year. However, the Ducks have proven themselves this past track season posting impressive personal bests in the 3k and 5k. These improvements are likely to carry over into the fall leading the Ducks to be a formidable top ten program in 2019.
The team will be led by rising junior Cooper Teare fresh off a 13:32 5k personal best. Behind him is a huge pool of talent including three men with sub-14 5k personal bests (James West, Jackson Mestler and Soren Knudsen), a 8:40 steeplechase transfer from Syracuse in Noah Affolder, and two sub-14:10 5k runners in Charle Hunter and Lucky Schreiner. Last but not least the Ducks also bring in the top recruit in the nation from Indianapolis, Cole Hocker the 2018 Foot Locker National Champion.