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. The No. 3 DIII men’s spot goes to UW-La Crosse, and here's why:

Projected Top Five:

SR Josh Schraeder (3:50 1500; 8:20 3K; 14:34 5K; 4th at ‘18 NCAA XC)

SR Tyler Nault (14:41 5K; 30th at ‘18 NCAA XC)

JR Chris Pahnke (81st at ‘18 NCAA XC)

SR Matt Bourland (14:50 5K; 117th at ‘18 NCAA XC)

JR Peter Schommer (15:31 5K)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

N/A

Analysis: 

The UW-La Crosse men have placed top three at NCAAs each of the last two seasons, and with DIII’s top returner and another All-American on the roster, the Eagles can expect at least that much in 2019.

Senior Josh Schraeder enters the fall as the favorite to win it all in November after placing fourth last year. Schraeder ran PBs in the 1500, mile, 3k and 5k and qualified for both NCAA indoors and outdoors in 2019, a promising sign for him as his greatest strength has always been in cross country. Fellow senior Tyler Nault gives La Crosse arguably the best duo in Division III. Nault improved by 119 places from 2017 to 2018 in placing 30th at nationals.

The Eagles aren’t as solid 3-5 as the two teams ahead of them, but at least Chris Pahnke and Matt Bourland each have NCAA XC experience. Both will need to improve on their 2018 finishes for La Crosse to have a chance at top two. 

Beyond the four returners, coach Derek Stanley has a vacancy for the final scoring spot, a spot that he claims has many candidates vying to fill it. There is no obvious person for the job just yet, but this group has too much going for it to allow such a hole to derail their season.

FULL RANKINGS HERE