NCAA D1 Cross Country Mid-Season Breakdown: Key Teams and Underdogs to Watch
The NCAA Cross Country season is well underway, with major meets like the Nuttycombe and Paul Short Invitationals already behind us. By this point, any team with national title aspirations should have made their mark. Having coached Cross Country in the NCAA myself, I’ve seen firsthand how this sport is a true team effort in the running community. Yet, despite the sport’s importance, Cross Country continues to fly under the radar in mainstream media coverage. Here, I’ll break down the current national standings, focusing on the top teams, sleeper picks, and my insights into the mid-season outlook.
Women’s Division: The Contenders and Dark Horses
National Polls: Who’s Leading?
As of October 7th, the women’s national polls highlighted five standout teams, but I think they missed the mark on a few fronts.
NC State (#5): The reigning champions, the Lady Wolf Pack, don’t seem to be in top form this year. With key losses to Alabama and close races with unranked Clemson, I’m not convinced they deserve this high of a ranking, especially without Katelyn Tuohy in the lineup.
Notre Dame (#4): This ranking feels justified. Notre Dame has shown they can compete closely with other top teams, and I believe they have the potential to push for a national title.
Washington (#3): Washington’s ranking seems shaky. They narrowly edged out Utah and Georgetown at Nuttycombe, but I’m not sure they’ve done enough to prove they’re the third-best team in the nation.
BYU and NAU (#2 and #1): These two teams are almost interchangeable at the top. NAU edged out BYU at the Joe Piane Invitational, but BYU’s Lexy Halladay-Lowry was the fastest athlete on the course. This race could go either way, and both teams are strong contenders for the national title.
Sleeper Teams: Watch Out for the Underdogs
While the power conference teams dominate the rankings, there are a couple of sleeper teams worth mentioning.
Furman University: The Southern Conference leaders nearly placed fourth at the Nuttycombe Invitational and have shown they can keep pace with the best teams in the country. They’re almost guaranteed to win their conference and could push into the top 10 nationally.
Lipscomb University: Coming out of the A-Sun Conference, Lipscomb shocked everyone last year by nearly cracking the top 10 at nationals. Although they placed 15th at Nuttycombe this year, they have the potential to rise as they gain momentum throughout the season.
Men’s Division: The Title Race Is Narrowing Down
The Top Teams: Clear Front-Runners
Unlike the women’s side, the men’s race for the national title appears much clearer, with two teams standing out above the rest.
Notre Dame (#5): While Notre Dame looks good, they’re just part of the pack chasing after the top two teams. After narrowly edging out NAU at a home meet, they deserve the #5 spot but will have to push hard to break into the top three.
Iowa State (#4): They finished second at Nuttycombe but could have easily slipped to fourth. They, too, are running with the field, not against the true leaders.
Arkansas (#3): Despite their ranking, Arkansas hasn’t faced stiff competition yet. Their win at the Chili Pepper Invitational came against weak D1 competition, so their third-place ranking feels inflated.
BYU and Oklahoma State (#2 and #1): These two teams are head and shoulders above the competition. BYU won Nuttycombe convincingly, and Oklahoma State dominated the Cowboy Jamboree. These teams are the clear favorites for the national title, with BYU likely being the only team that can stop Oklahoma State from repeating their championship win.
Sleeper Teams: Dark Horses to Watch
As with the women’s division, a few underdog teams on the men’s side could shake things up at nationals.
Eastern Kentucky: This team from the ASUN Conference finished seventh at Nuttycombe, beating out several power conference teams. They have the potential to finish in the top 10 at nationals.
Princeton: Finishing ninth at Nuttycombe, Princeton has emerged as the Ivy League front-runner. However, they’ll need to keep an eye on Harvard, especially if defending national champion Graham Blanks, who hasn’t raced yet this season, returns to action.
The Importance of Teamwork and Preparation
Winning a national title in Cross Country is unique. It’s not just about individual talent, but about how the team as a whole performs. Championships are won through consistent preparation, often months in advance, with teams logging over 70 miles a week during the summer. By the time the national championship race arrives, only the teams that have put in the work—and can race as a cohesive unit—will have a shot at victory.
The team title at nationals won’t be decided by just the top 10 finishers. It’s the athletes further down the leaderboard who will make the difference. A mere two-second improvement can translate into a 10-point swing on the scorecard. Whether it’s the reigning champions or an unexpected underdog, the team that steps up and brings their teammates along will ultimately claim the crown.
Conclusion: Looking Ahead
This NCAA Cross Country season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. While BYU and Oklahoma State dominate the men’s side and BYU and NAU lead the women’s, anything can happen on race day. The underdogs, like Furman and Lipscomb for the women, or Eastern Kentucky and Princeton for the men, could surprise everyone. With national championships not far off, the real test is just beginning. Let’s see who can turn their summer miles into national glory.
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