Fresh off appearance at World Championships, Knight leads top XC returners

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Rankings based on who's back this fall and eligible to run. It does not take into consideration incoming freshmen.

1. Justyn Knight, senior, Syracuse: Still seeking an elusive national championship after placing fourth and second the past two years, but gained valuable experience representing Canada on the track in the 5,000 at the IAAF World Outdoor Championships in London.

2. Grant Fisher, junior, Stanford: The only sophomore in the top five at last year’s cross country finals, the two-time Foot Locker national champion then captured his first collegiate track title by winning the outdoor 5,000.

3. Morgan McDonald, senior, Wisconsin: The Badgers’ leader looks to follow the success of fellow Australian star Patrick Tiernan, who won the individual championship last year for Villanova.

4. Vincent Kiprop, junior, Alabama: The Kenyan talent was a dominant force at NJCAA Division II program Missouri Southern, winning five individual national titles in cross country and track.

5. Matthew Baxter, senior, Northern Arizona: The Lumberjacks have the potential to repeat as national champions, but it will take another strong effort from the veteran, who finished 11th last year.

6. Gilbert Kigen, junior, Alabama: Although the only two national finalists last year for the Crimson Tide graduated, don’t expect a letdown with the arrival of Kigen – a 10-time NJCAA Division 1 champion at Central Arizona – and Kiprop.

7. Alex George, senior, Arkansas: With only three of last year’s top 10 finishers returning, the opportunity for more improvement is there after he ascended from 176th in 2015 to 15th last year.

8. Rory Linkletter, junior, Brigham Young: Following a 32nd-place performance at last year’s cross country nationals, only got stronger, placing 11th in 5,000 at indoor track final and runner-up in outdoor 10,000.

9. Jack Bruce, senior, Arkansas: In addition to placing 23rd and 19th at the past two cross country national championships, he added a runner-up effort on the track in the outdoor 5,000 final.

10. Alfred Chelanga, junior, Alabama: After placing first and second in the NCAA Division 2 cross country finals the past two years at Shorter University in Georgia, he transferred to compete for the Crimson Tide on the track and was fifth in the indoor 5,000 and 11th in the outdoor 10,000 finals.

11. Matthew Maton, junior, Oregon: Will be relied on heavily to lead the Ducks following the departure of Edward Cheserek and showed impressive potential with a 29th-place national result last season.

12. Joe Klecker, sophomore, Colorado: The Buffaloes possess impressive depth, but in order to contend for a national team championship, he must follow a 28th-place effort last year with an even better result.

13. Dillon Maggard, senior, Utah State: One of the most underrated talents in the country, he enjoyed a breakthrough last season by placing 12th at nationals.

14. Colin Bennie, senior Syracuse: Another team with national title aspirations, his support of Knight could be a significant factor after finishing 17th at last year’s finals.

15. Tyler Day, junior, Northern Arizona: Versatile standout was 23rd during the Lumberjacks’ national championship run, then placed eighth on the track in the indoor 5,000 and ninth at the USATF Outdoor 10,000 finals.

16. Lawrence Kipkoech, junior, Campbell: Improved from 131st as a freshman at national cross country finals to 26th last year, but raced a limited track schedule, deciding to redshirt outdoor season.

17. John Dressel, junior, Colorado: Placed 33rd at last year’s cross country finals, but the best is yet to come after top-10 national track finishes in the indoor 3,000 and 5,000, along with the outdoor 5,000

18. Hassan Abdi, junior, Oklahoma State: Made an impressive transition from the NJCAA ranks at South Plains (Texas) to finish 16th in his first appearance at the Division 1 championship meet.

19. Gilbert Kirui, senior, Iona: His 87th-place finish at last year’s cross country nationals might have been cause for concern after taking 20th in 2015, but he rebounded to place sixth in the outdoor track 10,000.

20. Yusuke Uchikoshi, senior, Boise State: The Mountain West Conference champion went from finishing 21st at the West Regionals to 18th at cross country nationals.

21. Michael Williams, senior, Washington State: Has been the Cougars’ top finisher at consecutive cross country nationals, improving from 57th in 2015 to 30th last year.

22. Andy Trouard, senior, Northern Arizona: The Lumberjacks had four runners in the top 40 at last year’s national championships and he is among three of them returning after placing 37th.

23. Jonathan Green, junior, Georgetown: Has already demonstrated his ability to excel in a national final by placing fifth in 2015, but will look to return to that level after placing 13th in the 5,000 at the indoor track championship and 19th in the outdoor 10,000.

24. Jonah Koech, junior, UTEP: Recognized more as a middle-distance talent, he did finish 11th at the 2015 cross country final, but must rebound after placing 122nd last year.

25. Festus Lagat, junior, Iowa State: Another exceptional transfer from the NJCAA level at Gillette (Wyoming), he placed third at the 2015 cross country finals, but has won national titles in the 800, 1,500 and mile.

26. Jacob Choge, sophomore, Middle Tennessee State: Won the Conference USA and South Region titles during his debut cross country season, before placing 40th at the national finals.

27. Sean Tobin, senior, Mississippi: Has finished 68th and 62nd the past two cross country national championships, but will be relied on for a much bigger performance following the graduation of four Rebels’ standouts.

28. Jerrell Mock, senior, Colorado State: After 10th-place track finishes in indoor 5,000 and outdoor 10,000, he seeks a fourth career appearance at the national cross country finals, where he placed 19th in 2015.

29. Thomas Pollard, sophomore Iowa State: One of three freshmen to place in the top 50 at last year’s national cross country finals, he looks to regain elite form after only four outdoor track races.

T30. Arsene Guillorel, senior, Samford: Although he finished 57th at last year’s national cross country championships, expect significant improvement this season after placing fourth in the outdoor track 10,000 final.

T30. Thomas Ratcliffe, sophomore, Stanford: In limited action during his freshman season, he won the Stanford Invitational and placed eighth at the Pac-12 Championships.