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. 6 women’s spot goes to Stanford, and here's why:

Probable Top Seven:

SR Fiona O’Keeffe (8:58 3K; 15:31 5K; 17th at ’18 NCAA XC)

JR Jessica Lawson (9:09 3K; 15:50 5K; 44th at ’18 NCAA XC)

JR Christina Aragon (4:09 1500; 9:01 3K; 67th at ’17 NCAA XC)

JR Ella Donaghu (4:11 1500; 69th at ’17 NCAA XC)

FR Grace Connolly (4:48 Mile; 10:18 2 Mile; 8th at ’18 FL XC)

JR Julia Heymach (4:40 Mile; 96th at ’18 NCAA XC)

SO Rebecca Story (220th at ’18 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Grace Connolly via Natick, MA (4:48 Mile; 10:18 2 Mile; 8th at ’18 FL XC)

Abi Archer via Scottsdale, AZ (10:21 3200; 10th at ’18 NXN)

Kristin Fahy via Carlsbad, CA (4:48 1600; 10:11 3200; 25th at ’18 FL XC)

Analysis:

Despite losing No. 1 Elise Cranny to graduation, the Stanford women look poised for another top-10 finish and could possibly sneak into the top five after finishing fifth one year ago. Behind Cranny, four of the top five scorers return, led by senior Fiona O’Keefe. 

O’Keeffe will be gunning for an individual top-10 finish after earning All-American honors in cross country for three consecutive seasons. The California native was third in the NCAA indoor 5K and clocked PBs of 15:31 for 5K and 8:58 for 3K. Junior Jessica Lawson is the No. 2 returner after nearly making All-American last year in 44th place; she should be much-improved after running 15:50 in the 5K this year and placing 10th in the NCAA 1500m final.

The Cardinal's roster is so deep that two women who weren’t even on the NCAA squad last year will probably make a huge impact this fall: mid-distance specialists Christina Aragon and Ella Donaghu, both of whom placed in the top 70 in 2017. As usual, Stanford has also collected some prep studs who could contribute right away: Grace Connolly was eighth at Foot Locker Nationals last, Abi Archer placed 10th at NXN, and Kristin Fahy ran 10:11 for 3200. 

FULL RANKINGS HERE