Analysis of the 2007 NCAA Division I Women's Cross Country Coaches' Poll

by Mike Scott,

University of Rhode Island

Updated: 13 November

For the 10th year (with a layoff in 2005), I am analyzing the Women's Division I Coaches' Poll. Teams are listed according to their ranking in the current edition of the NCAA DIVISION I WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY NATIONAL POLL, as conducted by the United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association.

Notes: Places listed in parentheses refer to finish at the 2006 NCAA D-1 XC Championships at Indiana State University, unless otherwise noted. Performances are from the 2006-07 year, unless otherwise noted. Performances at the Foot Locker High School Cross Country Championships are denoted by "FL".

As always, I appreciate additions, corrections, and updates. Please send them to me at miscott@att.net

1. STANFORD

The defending champion Cardinal have won four NCAA harrier titles overall, including three of the last four and the last two consecutive crowns. Stanford returns five from last year's championship team, including Ari Lambie (4th), Teresa Walters (31st), Lindsay Flacks (56th), Alicia Follmar (149th), and Lauren Centrowitz (172nd) and gains Alexandra Gitz (6th FLN; Minnesota state champ). At the 9/29 Stanford Invite, the Cardinal swept the long course and short course races, with Lambie winning the 6km, followed by Follmar, Centrowitz, Niehaus, and Harrington with an 80-sec 1-5 spread. Standford dominated the PreNats Blue race, with McWalters, Lambie, Follmar, Gits, and Niehaus splitting 67-sec for the top 5. Lambie and McWalters finished 1-2 to lead Stanford to the win at the Pac-10 meet over Oregon and Arizona State; Centrowitz, Niehaus, and Harrington combined with Lambie and McWalters for a 72-sec split over 6K. McWalters led Stanford to a dominating ninth-straight win at the West Regional, combing with Gits, Lambie, Centrowitz, and Harrington for a 52-sec 1-5 spread.

Stanford is in the driver's seat to win their fifth NCAA championship; the meet is really theirs to win or lose. The Cardinal ran their best team race of the season at the West Regional. Lambie and McWalters are both top five contenders, while their other scorers should finish in the top 50. The last team to win three or more consecutive NCAA women's harrier crowns was Villanova, which captured six straight between 1989-1994.

2. FLORIDA STATE

The Seminoles finished 21st in 2006; NCAA 1500-meter runner-up Susan Kuijken (27th), Debbie Huss (118th), Laura Bowerman (132nd), NCAA steeplechase third-placer Barbara Parker (141st), and Amy Huss (151st) return from last year's team, while newcomer Hannah England is a World junior 1500 qualifier and Pilar McShine won the 3000m gold at the C.A.C Games. Kuijken won the Notre Dame Invite to lead Florida State to third behind Rice and Illinois; Kuijken combined with England, Huss, McSine, and Hagen for an 87-sec 1-5 spread over 5K. Kuijken was a surprising individual winner in the PreNats Blue race -- setting a course record of 19:55.5 that would last less than 30 minutes -- to lead the Seminoles to runner up status behind Stanford; Kuijken, Parker, England, Huss, and McSine split 86-sec over 6K. Kuijken continued her winning ways at the ACC meet and led Florida State to the team title with Parker, England, McSine, and Hagen helping the squad to a 1:48 split over 6K. Kuijken and Parker claimed the top two places to lead the Seminoles to the South regional title; Kuijken, Parker, England, McShine, and Hand split 79-sec over 6K.

Kuijken is a definite individual contender should prohibitive favorite Kipyego falter. The Seminoles have run strongly at PreNats, ACCs, and regionals and should perform in Terre Haute.

3. OREGON

The Ducks failed to qualify for the 2006 championships, but appear to not only be on track to qualify but contend for a trophy. 2006 USA junior cross country champ Nicole Blood, the Pan American junior 3000 champ, is joined by national prep mile champ Alexandra Kosinski (35th FLN, 20th '05 FLN), former national prep 2-mile champ Bria Wetsch (8th '05 FLN), World junior track qualifier Zoe Buckman, former Foot Locker champ Zoe Nelson Oregon won their own Dellinger Invite over Arkansas and Washington; Blood won the race, while Kosinski claimed third and Sammons, Wetsch, and Bies combined to split 67-sec over 6K. Kosinski and Blood claimed 3-4 to lead Oregon to second at Pac-10s behind Stanford; Kosinski, Blood, Wetsch, Buckman, and Nelson combined for a 61-sec 1-5 spread over 6K. Blood claimed individual runner-up honors at the West Regional to lead the Ducks to second place (highest placing since 1997) and an auto berth; Blood, Kosinski, Wetsch, Buckman, and Pearson split 65-sec over 6K.

Lananna has done an excellent job in recruiting and developing a team from a non-qualifier in 2006 to a title contender in 2007. Blood and Kosinski both look like top 10 contenders. Could Oregon sweep the men's and women's titles in 2007?

4. PRINCETON

The Tigers finished 23rd in 2006 and return Jolee Van Leuven (81st), Christy Johnson (103rd), Liz Costello (162nd), and Alexa Glencer (182nd), although Glencer has not appeared this fall. Princeton won Paul Short, with Johnson, Costello, Van Leuven, Higginson, and Cummings splitting 34-sec over 6K. The Tigers won the Prenats white race, with Costello, Johnson, Cummings, Higginson, and Brandeland splitting 46 sec over 6K. Princeton dominated the HEPs meet, with Costello and Johnson going 1-2 and combining with Brandeland, Van Leuven, and Higginson for a 37-sec 1-5 spread. The Tigers won the Mid-Atlantic region, with Costello, Johnson, Cummings, Brandeland, and Vanleuven splitting 52-sec over 6K.

Princeton is poised to capture a trophy, while Costello broke 20:00 over the oft-run Lehigh course.

5. MINNESOTA

The Gophers claimed 11th at the 2006 NCAA championships, returning Ladia Albertson-Junkans (19th), Elizabeth Yetzer (108th), Gabrielle Anderson (127th), Jamie Cheever (150th), Amy Laskoske (157th), and Heather Dorniden (185th). Minnesota won their own Griak Invite, with Cheever, Anderson, Yetzer, Albertson-Junkans, and Dornider combining for a 33-sec 1-5 spread over 6K. The Gophers finished fourth in the Prenats Blue race behind Stanford, Florida St, and Michigan St; Cheever, Yetzer, Anderson, Albertson-Junkans, and Duwell split 53-sec over 6K. Minnesota edged Michigan State for the Big Ten crown by a single point, with Albertson-Junkans leading Anderson, Yetzer, Cheever, and Dorniden to a tight 21-sec 1-5 spread over 6K. The Gophers won the Midwest region with Cheever, Yetzer, Albertson-Junkans, Dorniden, and Anderson splitting 37-sec over 6K.

6. ARIZONA STATE

The Sun Devils finished 13th at the 2006 championships and return six from that squad: Jenna Kingma (60th), Ali Kiety (68th), Kari Hardt (88th), Cassie Rios (102nd), Brooke Bennett (154th), and Krystal Duke (160th). ASU finished just three points behind Minnesota at the Griak Invite, with Hardt, Kingma, Kielty, Spadafino, and Bando splitting 88-sec over 6K. The Sun Devils finished second in the Prenats white race behind Princeton, with Kingma, Hardt, Kielty, Olson, and Duke splitting 57 sec over 6K. ASU tied Washington for third (Sun Devils edge UW on tie-breaker) at Pac-10s behind Stanford and Oregon, with Kingma, Kielty, Hardt, Olson, and Spadafino splitting 48-sec over 6K. The Sun Devils placed third at the West regional behind Stanford and Oregon but received an at-large berth, with Kingma, Kielty, Olson, Hardt, and Duke splitting 43-sec over 6K.

7. MICHIGAN STATE

The Spartans finished 12th at last fall's NCAA meet and return Alissa McKaig (10th), Nicole Bush (101st), Sarah Price (171st), Diane Hamilton (224th), and Leah Elenbass (252nd). MSU finished just behind Minnesota and Arizona St at the Griak Invite, with Bush, McKaig, Price, Senakiewich, and Kelly splitting 53-sec over 6K. The Spartans claimed third in the Prenats Blue race behind Stanford and Florida St; McKaig, Bush, Senakiewich, Price, and Kelly split 54-sec over 6K. Michigan State fell by a single point to Minnesota at the Big Ten meet, with Bush, McKaig, Senakiewich, Price, and McCormack splitting 82-sec over 6K. The Spartans edged Michigan to win the Great Lakes region and earn an auto berth to Indiana State; Bush, McKaig, Senakiewich, Price, and McCormack split 75-sec over 6K.

8. WASHINGTON

The Huskies didn't advance to the NCAAs in 2006; Anita Campbell finished 89th at the championships and is joined by three time Foot Locker runner up Mel Lawrence. Washington finished third at Dellinger behind Oregon and Arkansas; Follett, Campbell, Lawrence, Miller, and Rasmussen split 71-sec for 6K. The Huskies finished fourth in the Prenats White race; Campbell, Miller, Follett, Lawrence, and Schuster split 47-sec over 6K. Washington tied Arizona St for third (Sun Devils edge UW on tie-breaker) at Pac-10s behind Stanford and Oregon; Campbell, Follett, Lawrence, Miller, and Rasmussen combine for 46-sec 1-5 gap over 6K. The Huskies placed fourth at the West Regional behind Stanford, Oregon, and Arizona Stae but received an at-large berth, with Campbell, Follett, Miller, Lawrence, and Rasmussen splitting 80-sec over 6K.

9. MICHIGAN

The Wolverines claimed third in 2006 and return Nicole Edwards (12th), Alyson Kohlmeier (49th), Erin Webster (51st), Claire Otwell (122nd), Laura Glynn (191st), and Eileen Creutz (208th). Michigan finished fourth at Notre Dame behind Rice, Illinois, and Florida St, with Edwards (3rd overall), Webster, Tauro, Uible, and Gall splitting 63-sec over 5K. The Wolverines finished third behind Princeton and Arizona St, with Edwards, Webster, Morgan, Uible, and Tauro combining for a 53-sec 1-5 split. Michigan finished third at Big Ten behind Minnesota and Michigan St, with Edwards, Webster, Gall, Uible, and Morgan splitting 47-sec over 6K. The Wolverines finished a close second to Michigan State at the Great Lakes to claim an auto berth to Terre Haute; Edwards won the regional and led Webster, Gall, Uible, and Tauro to a 75-sec 1-5 spread.

10. ILLINOIS

The Fighting 'Illini finished eighth at last fall's NCAA meet and return Angela Bizzarri (28th), Stephanie Baliga (63rd), Maggie Carroll (169th), Shannon Phelan (189th), and Rachel Hernandez (193rd). Illinois finished second to Rice at the Notre Dame Inv, with Bizzari finishing second overall and Engel, Hernandez, Baliga, and Woods joining her for a 69-sec split over 5K. The Illini finished fifth in the Prenats white race behind Princeton, Arizona St, Michigan, Washington; Bizzarri, Engel, Woods, Baliga, and Hernandez split 64-sec over 6K. Illinois claimed fourth at Big Ten behind Minnesota, Michigan St, and Michigan, with Bizzarri, Engle, Woods, Baliga, and Hernandez splitting 61-sec for 6K. The Illini claimed second and an auto berth at the Midwest regional behind Minnesota; Bizzarri, Engel, Woods, Baliga, and Brokaw split 77-sec over 6K.

11. RICE

Rice didn't advance to the championship meet in 2006, but accomplished that feat in 2007. Rice surprised the field at the Notre Dame Invite to pick up wins over Illinois, Florida State, and Michigan; Daniels, Pye, Waite, Wade, and Wells split 44-sec for 1-5. The Owls finished seventh in the Prenats Blue race behind Stanford, Florida St, Michigan St, Minnesota, Georgetown, and Colorado St, with Marissa, Pye, Wade, Wells, and Waite splitting 41-sec over 6K. Rice dominated the Conference USA meet, with Daniels, Pye, Wade, Wells, and Mericle splitting 36-sec over 5K. The Owls won the South Central regional to advance to the NCAA meet, with Pye, Mericle, Wade, Wells, and Waite splitting 32-sec over 6K.

12. COLORADO STATE

The Rams claimed 24th in 2006 and return April Thomas (42nd), Kristen Anthony (146th), Kristen Hemphill (156th), Heather Loseke (219th), and Ashley Velez (240th). Colorado State claimed fourth at the Dellinger Inv behind Oregon, Arkansas, and Washington, with Thomas, Loseke, Hemphill, Anthony, and Gohl splitting 41-sec over 6K. The Rams claimed sixth in the Prenats Blue race behind Stanford, Florida St, Michigan St., Minnesota, and Georgetown; Thomas, Loseke, Gohl, Hemphill, and Anthony split 33-sec over 6K. Colorado State downed BYU again at the Mountain West champs, with Thomas and Anthony finishing 1-2 to seal the win; Thomas and Anthony combined with Hemphill, Gohl, and Thomas for a 59-sec 1-5 split over 6K. The Rams won the Mountain region, with Thomas, Anthony, Loseke, Gohl, and Hemphill splitting 30-sec over 6K.

13. WEST VIRGINIA

The Mountaineers didn't advance to the show in 2006, but return NACAC cross country runner up Maria-Loiuse Asselim (Canada) and US NACAC Team member Keri Bland. West Virginia finished second to Princeton at Paul Short, with Asselin, Bland, Grandt, Harrison, and Christopher splitting 92-sec over 6K. The Mountaineers took the Penn State National, with Asselin, Bland, Clara, Harrison, and Christopher splitting 72-sec over 6K. West Virginia won the Big East meet, with Assenlin, Bland, Grandt, Dalzot, and Harrison splitting 81-sec over 6K. The Mountaineers claimed second and an auto berth at the Mid-Atlantic regional behind Princeton; Asselin, Clara, Bland, Christopher, and Dalzot split 80-sec over 6K.

14. PROVIDENCE

The Friars claimed seventh at the 2006 NCAA meet, returning Krystal Douglas (80th), Breffini Twohig (93rd), Katie Dicamillo (96th), Danette Doetzel (116th), and Nelle Trefz (249th). Providence claimed sixth at Notre Dame behind Rice, Illinois, Florida St, Michigan, and Boston College with Doetzel, DiCamillo, Childs, Douglas, and Twohig splitting 72-sec for 5K. The Friars finished ninth in the Prenats white race behind Princeton, Arizona St, Michigan, Washington, Illinois, Colorado, BYU, and Iowa; Doetzel, DiCamillo, Childs, Douglas, and Morgan split 1:56 over 6K. Providence finished second at Big Easts, with Doetzel, DiCamillo, Douglas, Childs, and Twohig splitting 97-sec over 6K. Doetzel won the Northeast region to lead the Friars to the regional title and an auto berth to Terre Haute; Doetzel, DiCamillo, Douglas took three of the top six places in the regional and combined with Childs and Twohig to split 85-sec over 6K.

15. NORTHERN ARIZONA

The Lumberjacks didn't advance to the 2006 championships. Northern Arizona finished eighth in the Prenats Blue race behind Stanford, Florida St, Michigan St, Minnesota, Georgetown, Colorado St, and Rice; Paulson, Van Miert, Leutert, Griggs, and Hardt split 41-sec over 6K. NAU won the Big Sky champs, with Van Miert, Paulson, Boyd, Leuter, and Griggs splitting 36-sec over 5K. The Lumberjacks stepped up to claim runner-up honors and an auto berth at the Mountain regional behind Colorado State, with Paulson, Van Miert, Griggs, Leutert, and Boyd splitting 74-sec over 6K.

16. ARKANSAS

The Lady 'Backs finished fifth at last fall's harrier championship and return the entire squad: Brooke Upshaw (37th), Dacia Barr (58th), Dani Parry (64th), Denise Bargiachi (86th), Christine Kalmer (117th), Miranda Walker (134th), Kelly Vrshek (215th). Arkansas claimed runner-up honors behind Oregon and ahead of Washington at the Dellinger Inv, with Kalmer, Rosen, Bargiachi, Parry, and White splitting a tight 36-sec over 6K. The Lady 'Backs finished a close second to Texas Tech at their own Chili Pepper meet, with Bargiachi leading Parry, Walker, Kalmer, and Rosen to a 38-sec 1-5 gap over 6K. Arkansas dominated the SEC champs, with Kalmer, Rosen, Bargiachi, Parry, and Varr splitting 33-sec over 6K. The Lady 'Backs claimed second to Rice at the South Central meet, with Bargiachi, Kalmer, Rosen, Barr, and White splitting 60-sec over 6K.

17. BRIGHAM YOUNG

The Cougars have won four NCAA titles since 1997, but have been dry since their last win in 2002. Brigham Young finished 22nd in 2006 and returned Amy Fowler, Amber Duffin, Whitney McDonald, and Jenna Jensen. BYU finished fifth at Dellinger behind Oregon, Washington, and Colorado St, with Bowen, Wagner, Duffin, Fowler-Layne, and Jensen splitting 42-sec over 6K. The Cougars tied Colorado for sixth (CU gets the nod on the tiebreaker) in the Prenats white race behind Princeton, Arizona St, Michigan, Washington, and Illinois; Wagner, Bowen, Jensen, Lemmon, and Duffin split 26-sec over 6K. BYU finished second at the Mountain West champs to Colorado St, with Bowen, Wagner, Bybee, Lemmon, and Duffin splitting 28-sec over 6K. The Cougars finished third at the Mountain regional behind Colorado State and Northern Arizona but received an at-large berth, with Wagner, Lemmon, Duffin, Jensen, and Bowen splitting 34-sec over 6K.

18. GEORGETOWN

The Hoyas placed 15th in 2006 and return Melissa Grelli (39th), Elizabeth Malory (44th), Jennie Funk (110th), Maggie Infeld (129th), Natasha Labeaud (190th), and Joanna Rodgers (222nd). Georgetown finished 2nd at the 9/29 W&M Interregional to Virginia Tech, with Grelli, Ogrodnick, Gregory, Malmquist, and Tomlin split 93-seconds. The Hoyas claimed fifth in the Prenats Blue race, with Grelli combining with Ogrodnick, Maloy, Rodgers, and Malmquist for a 74-sec 1-5 gap over 6K. Grelli won Big East meet to lead Georgetown to third behind the West Virginia and Providence; Grelli, Malor, Ogrodnick, Tomlin, and Gregory split 69-sec over 6K. Grelli also won the Mid-Atlantic regional to lead the Hoyas to third and an at-large berth behind Princeton and West Virgina, with Grelli combining with Ogrodnick, Maloy, Infeld, and Gregory for a 97-sec 1-5 spread.

19. NORTH CAROLINA STATE

The Wolfpack finished 19th in 2006. NC State claimed seventh at Notre Dame behind Rice, Illinois, Florida St, Michigan, BC, and Providence; Tinsley, Blackmon, Jones, Wetherbee, and Wheatley split 83-sec for 5K. The Wolfpack finished tenth in the Prenats blue race; Tinsley, Blackmon, Jones, Wetherbee, and Walker split 28-sec over 6K. NC State claimed second behind Florida St at ACCs, with Tinsley, Blackmon, Wetherbee, Walker, and Jones splitting 76-sec over 6K. The Wolfpack won the Southeast regional to claim an auto berth, with Blackmon, Tinsley, Jones, Wetherbee, and Kebert 86-sec over 6K.

20. IOWA

The Hawkeyes claimed 17th in 2006 and return their entire top seven: Diane Nukuri, Racheal Marchand, Meghan Armstrong, Jessica Schmidt, Jolly Burke, Krista Anderson,and Molly Esche. Iowa finished eighth in the Prenats white race behind Princeton, Arizona St, Michigan, Washington, Illinois, Colorado, and BYU; Nukrui, Armstrong, Burke, Anderson, and Schmidt split 1:52 over 6K. Nukuri won the individual crown at Big Tens to lead Iowa to fifth behind Minnesota, Michigan St, Michigan, and Illinois; Nukuri combined with Armstrong and Burke -- all three in the top nine -- as well as Schmidt and Anderson for a 2:10 1-5 gap over 6K. Nukuri ran away with the Midwest regional to lead the Hawkeyes to third behind Minnesota and Illinois but received an at-large berth; Nukuri combined with Armstrong, Burke, Schmidt, and Hardesty for a 2:01 1-5 spread over 6K.

21. WISCONSIN

The Badgers finished 4th at last year's NCAA meet and return Hanna Grinaker (13th), Sara Hurley (105th), Asheley Benson (139th), Maggie Hippman (195th), and Emily Post (198th). Wisconsin finished fourth at Paul Short behind Princeton, West Virginia, and Texas Tech, with Hintz, Ginaker, Jorgensen, K. Hurley, and S. Hurley splitting 82-sec. The Badgers finished ninth in the Prenats Blue race behind Stanford, Florida St, Michigan St, Minnesota, Georgetown, Colorado St, Rice, and Northern Ariz; Ginaker, Hintz, Jorgensen, Hurley, Detmer split 58-sec for 6K. Wisconsin finished sixth at Big Ten behind Minnesota, Michigan St, Michigan, Illinois, and Iowa, with Grinaker, Jorgensen, Detmer, Ganser, and Hintz splitting 61-sec over 6K. The Badgers finished third in the Great Lakes region behind Michigan State and Michigan to claim an at-large berth, with Grinaker, Jorgensen, Coyle, Ganser, and Pabich splitting 63-sec over 6K.

22. COLORADO

The Buffalo were last year's runners up and have won two title since 2000, including the 2004 championship. Colorado returns NCAA individual runner up Jenny Barringer, as well Aislinn Ryan (46th), Erin Marston (165th), Emily Hanenburg (214th), and Hilary McClendon (223rd), as well as Sara Vaughn. Foot Locker finalists Alison Sawyer (NY Champ, 3rd NTN, 32nd FL) and Allison Eckert (22nd in '04FL; also qualified in '05 and '06) join the squad. Vaughn and Marston finished 1-2 at the Shootout, with Thweatt, Sawyer, and Anna Chase splitting 97-sec over 5.8K. with Morgan Ekemo and Eckert just behind. Neither Barringer -- who represented the US in the steeple at the World Champs in Osaka after winning the US steeple title -- or Ryan raced the Shootout. Colorado tied BYU for sixth (CU got the nod on the tiebreaker) in the Prenats white race behind Princeton, Arizona St, Michigan, Washington, and Illinois; Barringer won the White race in a course record 19:48.3, while Vaughn, Marsten, Thweatt, and Eckert combined to split 1:55 over 6K (Ryan didn't compete). In what has become their trademark, at the Big 12 meet the Buffs overcame a 93-78 deficit behind Texas Tech at 3K to comfortably down the Red Raiders 59 to 83 at the finish; Barringer combined with Marston, Vaughn, Thweatt, and Ryan for a 2:22 1-5 spread. Barringer once again chased Texas Tech's Kipyego to claim the individual second, while CU fell to fourth at the Mountain regional behind Colorado State, Northern Arizona, and BYU but received an at-large berth; Barringer, Vaughn, Marston, Ryan, and Hooper split 2:37 over 6K, while Thweatt -- the Buff's normal #4 -- sat out the race, but is expected to return to the lineup in Terre Haute.

23. GEORGIA

The Bulldogs placed 15th in 2006. Georgia finished sixth at Dellinger behind Oregon, Arkansas, Washington, Colorado St, and BYU; Vernon, Madebach, DeMarco, Pichetti, and Emily combined for a 51-sec 1-5 spread. The Bulldogs finished eleventh in the Prenats white race behind Princeton, Arizona St, Michigan, Washington, Illinois, Colorado, BYU, Iowa, Providence, and Florida; Madenbach, Vernon, Demarco, Picchetti, and Skinner split 87sec over 6K. Madebach won the SEC meet, but the Bulldogs finished third behind Arkansas and Tennessee; behind Madebach, Picchetti, Vernon, Houston, and DeMarco combined for a 71-sec 1-5 spread. Georgia placed second in the South region to claim the second auto berth; Madebach, Picchetti, Vernon, Houston, and Skinner split 69-sec over 6K.

24. TEXAS TECH

NCAA champion Sally Kipyego returns to lead the Red Raiders, sixth at the '06 NCAA meet. Joining Kipyego from the '06 NCAA championships squad are Irene Kimaiyo (9th), Gladys Kipsang (144th), Asia Diaz (168th), and Michelle Edman (253rd). Kipyego and Kimaiyo ran to a 1-2 finish at the Paul Short meet to lead Texas Tech to third behind Princeton and West Virginia; joining this dynamic duo were Kipsang, Diz, and Guzman, who split 2:31 for 6K. Kipyego smoked the course at Chili Pepper leading Texas Tech to a narrow win over Arkansas; Kipyego, Kimaiyo, Kipsang, Diaz, and Boit split 2:36 over 6K. Kipyego ran away with the Big 12, but the Red Raiders couldn't maintain a lead in the team scoring at the halfway point and finished second to Colorado; Kipyego was joined by Kimaiyo, Kipsang, Boit, and Diaz for a 2:31 1-5 spread. Despite Kipyego's comfortable win over Barringer at the Mountain regional, Texas Tech only managed fifth at the Mountain regional behind Colorado State, Northern Arizona, BYU, and Colorado but received an at-large berth; Kipyego, Kimaiyo, Kipsang, Boit, and Diaz split 3:07 over 6K.

25. DUKE

The Blue Devils finished 10th at last fall's NCAA harrier meet and return Maddie McKeever (15), Kate Van Buskirk (98), and Shelley Forbes (181). Duke claimed sixth at the 10/12 PSU National behind West Virginia, Penn State, Kentucky, Syracuse, and Wake Forest, with McKeever grabbing third and Sherrard, Adamyk, Loughlin, and Lehman combining for an 89-sec 1-5 gap over 6K. Duke finished sixth at ACCs behind Florida St, NC St, BC, UNC, and V-Tech, with McKeever, Van Buskirk, Sherrard, Schwitzer, and Adamyk splitting 72-sec over 6K. Duke rebounded to claim second and an auto berth at the Southeast Regional, with McKeever, Van Buskirk, Adamyk, Sherrard, and Schwitzer splitting 75-sec over 6K.

26. UC SANTA BARBARA

The Gauchos finished ninth at last fall's NCAA meet, returning Bethany Nickless (153rd) and Danielle Domenichelli (187th). UCSB finished fourth at Griak behind Minnesota, Arizona St, and Michigan St, with Nickless, Lewis, Hitchner, Domenichelli, and Brown combining for a 97-sec 1-5 gap. The Gauchos finished 11th in the Prenats Blue race, with Nickless, Lewis, Domenchelli, Hitchner, and Brown splitting 71-sec over 6K. UCSB won the Big West championship, with Lewis and Nickless claiming 1-2, Domenichelli, Hitcher, and Strenkoski adding to a 1:41 split over 6K. The Gauchos placed fifth at the West regional behind Stanford, Oregon, Arizona State, and Washington but received an at-large berth, with Lewis, Nickless, Hitchner, Domenich, and Strenkows splitting 52-sec over 6K.

27. STONY BROOK

The Sea Wolves claimed fifth at Paul Short behind Princeton, West Virginia, Texas Tech, and Wisconsin, with Laura Huet, Lucy Van Dalen, Holly Van Dalen, Dana Hastie, and Liz Carlson splitting 37-sec over 6K. Stony Brook finished 14th in the Prenats white race behind Princeton, Arizona St, Michigan, Washington, Illinois, Colorado, BYU, Iowa, Providence, Florida, Georgia, UNC, and Baylor, with Jessica Hampson (x-fer from Purdue), L. Van Dalen, H. Van Dalen, Huet, and Hastie combining for a 35-sec 1-5 gap over 6K. The Sea Wolves won their first ever America East championship in any sport on their home course, with Hampson, H. Van Dalen, Carlson, Huet, and L. Van Dalen splitting an exceptional 13-sec over 5K. SBU claimed second place and an auto berth at the Northeast Regional behind Providence; Hastie, Huet, L. Van Dalen, H. Van Dalen, and Hampson split a tight 23-sec over 6K.

28. FLORIDA

The Gators placed 26th in 2006. Florida finished tenth in the Prenats white race behind Princeton, Arizona St, Michigan, Washington, Illinois, Colorado, BYU, Iowa, and Providence; Kruzel, Lowe, Sundell, Petrick, and Crabb split 41-sec over 6K. The Gators finished fourth at the SEC champs behind Arkansas, Tennessee, and Georgia, with Kruzel, Lowe, Sundell, Babb, and Petrick splitting 36-sec over 6K. Florida finished third at the South regional behind Florida State and Georgia to claim an at-large berth, with Sundell, Lowe, Petrick, Crabb and Babb splitting 54-sec over 6K.

29. NORTH CAROLINA

The Tarheels placed 31st in 2006 and return All American Brianna Felnagle along with Megan Kaltenbach, Addie Bracy, Emily Hoffman, and Morgan Stengel. North Carolina finished twelfth in the Prenats white race behind Princeton, Arizona St, Michigan, Washington, Illinois, Colorado, BYU, Iowa, Providence, Florida, and Georgia; Felnagle, Kaltenbach, Bracy, Stengel, and Lareau split 2:08 over 6K. UNC claimed fourth at ACCs behind Florida St, NC St, and Boston College, with Felnagle finishing third overall and combining with Kaltenbach, Bracy, Stengle, and LaReau for a 2:09 1-5 spread. The Tarheels finished third in the Southeast region behind NC State and Duke to claim an at-large berth; Felnagle won the regional and combined with Kaltenbach, Bracy, LaReau, and Stengel for a 1:53 1-5 gap over 6K.

30. BAYLOR

Baylor finished eighth at Notre Dame behind Rice, Illinois, Florida St, Michigan, BC, Providence, and NC St; Jones, L. Bedell, Hagans, Bradley, and E. Bedell split 33-sec for 5K. The Bears finished 13th in the Prenats white race behind Princeton, Arizona St, Michigan, Washington, Illinois, Colorado, BYU, Iowa, Providence, Florida, Georgia, and UNC; Jones, Hagans, L. Bedell, Bradley, and McGlynn split 77-sec over 6K. Baylor placed fourth at Big 12s behind Colorado, Texas Tech, and Nebraska, with Hagans, Jones, L. Bedell, Bradley, and Van Wyhe splitting 1:51 over 6K (Eric Bedell was their sixth runner, 8 secs behind Van Wyhe). The Bears claimed third in the South Central region behind Rice and Arkansas and received an at-large berth, with Jones, Hagans, Barnes, Bradley, and Van Wyhe splitting 64-sec over 6K.

31. BOSTON COLLEGE

The Eagles placed 30th in 2006. BC finished fifth at Notre Dame behind Rice, Illinois, Florida St, and Michigan with Champa, Lister, Chabot, King, and Titus splitting 43-sec over 5K. The Eagles finished 12th in the Prenats Blue race; Lister, Chabot, Champa, King, and Titus split 61-sec over 6K. BC claimed third at ACCs behind Florida St and NC St, with Champa, Chabot, Lister, Driscoll, and Heyde splitting 71-sec over 6K. The Eagles finished third in the Northeast Region behind Providence and Stony Brook and received an at-large berth, with Lister, Chabot, Driscoll, Champa, and Tufts combining for a 59-sec 1-5 gap.