2019 FloXC Countdown: #8 Oregon Women
2019 FloXC Countdown: #8 Oregon Women
The No. 8 women'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 women’s spot goes to Oregon, and here's why:
Probable Top Seven:
SR Isabelle Brauer (16:27 5K; 33:44 10K)
SR Philippa Bowden (15:52 5K; 32:33 10K)
SR Susan Ejore (2:02 800; 16:13 5K; 91st at ’18 NCAA XC)
SR Mari Smith (2:01 800)
FR Alessia Zarbo (9:25 3K)
SR Amanda Gehrich (16:12 5K; 108th at ’18 NCAA XC)
SO Moria O’Shea (16:11 5K; 140th at ’18 NCAA XC)
Impact Freshmen/Transfers:
Mari Smith via Great Britain (2:01 800)
Alessia Zarbo via France (9:25 3K)
Moira O’Shea via Penn State (16:11 5K; 140th at ’18 NCAA XC)
Analysis:
The women of Oregon have racked up an impressive record of three top-three finishes at the NCAA XC Championships in the past four years, including third last year. This fall, the Ducks lose three All-Americans — including Jessica Hull, the NCAA 1500m champion who placed third at NCAA XC. It will be tough to continue their podium streak, but the Ducks certainly have enough talent to place within the top 10 at the end of the season.
Despite the graduation losses, the projected top three are all seniors and bring plenty of national experience to the table. Isabelle Brauer was No. 4 for the Ducks last year at NCAA XC with a 52nd-place finish, though she placed 15th in 2017 while running for San Francisco. British junior star Philippa Bowden should be improved after a year of NCAA experience under her belt. The 15:52 5K runner was 97th at NCAA XC and 17th at Pac-12s. The versatile Susan Ejore was sixth at Pac-12s and third in the NCAA West Region before finishing just 91st on an off-day at NCAAs; she should be an All-American contender this year. Ejore is coming off a spring that saw her score at Pac-12s in both the 800m (second) and the 5K (eighth) and clock an impressive 2:02 PB to place fourth in the NCAA 800m final.