A team-by-team breakdown of each mens team competing at NCAA Cross Country Nationals in Terre Haute, Indiana on Monday, November 24.
Mens Team Capsules
(Alphabetical Order)
Alabama (South) Top Season Highlights: Bill Dellinger Inv. (3rd, 62 points), Pre-Nationals (1st White Race, 89 points), SEC Conference (1st, 32 points), Regionals (1st, 49 points). Top Athletes: Tyson David, Augustus Maiyo, Emmanuel Bor, Abraham Kutingala, Andrew Kirwa, Stephen Payne, Zac Edwards. Key to Success: Strong performances all season long should provide much confidence for Alabama. Convincing wins at Pre-Nationals and the SEC Championships showed this team is very capable of a top four finish, while their win at regionals brought up a few question marks. Tyson David, Augustus Maiyo and Emmanuel Bor provide a strong 1-3, with each capable of a top 15 finish. The key to a trophy for this squad is a solid run by Bor (top 35) and their fifth man Andrew Kirwa coming through with a top 60 finish. 2007 National Finish: 6th place
Arkansas (South Central) Top Season Highlights: Chili Pepper Inv. (2nd, 75 points), SEC Conference (3rd, 75 points), Regionals (2nd, 44 points). Top Athletes: Scott MacPherson, Eric Fernandez, Lane Boyer, Andy McClary, Michael Chinchar, Alex McClary, Rick Elliott. Key to Success: Many consider this year's Arkansas team to be one of the weaker teams they've put forth in well over a decade. While the team did lose their first SEC title in over thirty years, the squad did place second in the South Central Region, only five points behind a strong Texas A&M squad. While a top ten finish may be out of the question, the team could push for a top half finish (top 15). Junior Scott MacPherson leads the young Razorback contingent and will push for an all-American finish. 2007 National Finish: 23rd place
Auburn (South) Top Season Highlights: Roy Griak Inv. (5th, 135 points), Pre-Nationals (4th Blue Race, 194 points), SEC Conference (2nd, 62 points), Regionals (2nd, 59 points). Top Athletes: Girma Mesecho, Felix Kibioywo, Elkanah Kibet, Scott Novack, Jean-Pierre Weerts, Julian Matthews, Joby Peake. Key to Success: Auburn may have the most talented trio in the entire NCAA, as freshman Girma Mesecho, Felix Kibioywo and Elkanah Kibet each eye a top twelve finish. While many teams would trophy off of a trio such as this, Auburn lacks depth. The squad finished only ten points off of trophy contender Alabama at regionals, but their 4-5 will be pushed much farther down in the results in a national level meet. Their 4-5 finishes are the key to Auburn cracking the top eight. 2007 National Finish: DNC
Butler (Great Lakes) Top Season Highlights: Pre-Nationals (12th White Race, 430 points), Regionals (3rd, 104 points). Top Athletes: Andy Baker, Tom Boardman, Justin Roeder, Rob Mullett, Kris Gauson, Tommy Davies, Madison Roeder. Key to Success: An underdog all the way, Butler finds themselves back on the national stage once again. The team should have strong fan support, being the closest team in the field to Terre Haute, which should provide some extra encouragement. Andy Baker is a proven top ten contender after finishing second in the Great Lakes Regional, while Tommy Davies is a very good number two if he is healthy. This team ran their best race of the season at regionals, which should mean they have quite a bit of momentum on their side for nationals. While a top ten finish is a bit of a stretch, strong finishes from their 3-5 could mean a top 15 finish. 2007 National Finish: DNC
BYU (Mountain) Top Season Highlights: Roy Griak Inv. (3rd, 91 points), Pre-Nationals (3rd Blue Race, 154 points), Mountain West Conference (1st, 36 points), Regionals (3rd, 70 points). Top Athletes: Kyle Perry, Stephan Shay, Rich Nelson, Jacob Gustafsson, Ryan Merriman, Nate Ogden, Thomas Gruenewald. Key to Success: With Kyle Perry and Stephan Shay leading the way, BYU looks like a very comfortable pick for a top 15 finish. However, the Cougars should want at least a top ten finish, but they'll need to close their nearly minute gap they ran at regionals if they hope to contend against the other top squads in the country. Both Perry and Shay have chances to earn all-American status, but if Rich Nelson and the rest of the pack can close the gap to 40 seconds or so off of Perry, this team will finish very high up Monday. 2007 National Finish: 22nd place
California (West) Top Season Highlights: Pre-Nationals (8th White Race, 315 points), Pac 10 Conference (3rd, 104 points), Regionals (4th, 116 points). Top Athletes: Yosef Ghebray, Mark Matusak, Michael Coe, Kari Karlsson, Matt Miller, Steve Sodaro. Key to Success: The Golden Bears seem to be coming on at the right time. A fourth place finish in the strong West Regional is just what this squad needed. Yosef Ghebray placed seventh in the regional field, indicating that he is ready to make a charge at top 20 at Nationals, while Mark Matusak, Michael Coe and Kari Karlsson make a formidable 2-4. Their fifth raises a few question marks, but a consistent showing by any of their 5-7 will certainly help California make a run at a top ten finish. 2007 National Finish: 16th place
Cal-Poly (West) Top Season Highlights: Pre-Nationals (7th White Race, 273 points), Regionals (7th, 184 points). Top Athletes: Daniel Gonia, Evan Anderson, Troy Swier, Andrew Wright, Joe Gatel, Carl Dargitz, Jeff Lease. Key to Success: After placing 11th in 2007, Cal Poly looks to finish in the top 15 again. Despite losing two of their top three runners from last year, this team is looking strong from top to bottom. Daniel Gonia leads the way for the team, hoping to finish as an all-American, while Evan Anderson, Troy Swier and Joe Gatel return with national experience. At regionals Swier had a sub-par race and if the squad will be counting on him to come up big. 2007 National Finish: 11th place
Colorado (Mountain) Top Season Highlights: Pre-Nationals (9th Blue Race, 235 points), Big 12 Conference (2nd, 66 points), Regionals (1st, 42 points). Top Athletes: Jordan Kyle, Chris Pannone, Richard Medina, Kenyon Neuman, Seth DeMoor, Christian Thompson, Matthew Tebo. Key to Success: Guess who's coming on strong at the right time once again? That's right, the University of Colorado is creeping up on their competition yet again and seem poised to strike. While a trophy finish may be out of the cards for the team this year, one can never discount a Mark Wetmore team. The squad ran a strategic race at regionals, finishing their top five within 19 seconds of one another. While that gap is certain to grow Monday, if Jordan Kyle can creep up into the top 20 this team will be very hard to beat and a top five finish is certainly not out of the question. 2007 National Finish: 7th place
Florida State (South) Top Season Highlights: Pre-Nationals (4th White Race, 212 points), ACC Conference (4th, 80 points), Regionals (3rd, 66 points). Top Athletes: Daniel Roberts, Matt Leeder, Steeve Gabart, Nick Sunseri, Jason Lakritz, Justin Harbor, Trey Andrews. Key to Success: The loss of Florida State at the end of the year certainly hurt FSU's chances for a top five finish. However, the remaining Seminoles have plenty of talent. Daniel Roberts, Matt Leeder and Steeve Gabart will need to pack it up and run a strong team race. With top five runner Mike Fout out with injury, other notable runners will need to step in and run big. 2007 National Finish: 20th place
Georgetown (Mid-Atlantic) Top Season Highlights: Big East Conference (1st, 35 points), Regionals (1st, 27 points) Top Athletes: Andrew Bumbalough, Levi Miller, Ayalew Taye, Michael Krisch, Michael Banks, Justin Scheid, James Grimes. Key to Success: Georgetown is strong, do not discount them. The Mid-Atlantic champions seem to be turning it on at the right time. Regional champion Andrew Bumbalough has been a consistent force all year and could vie for a top five finish Monday, while teammate Levi Miller will look for an all-American finish as well. Ayalew Taye has shown pleasant consistency this season and will look to redeem himself after a last place finish at nationals in 2007. As with most teams Georgetown's success will be based off of how their 4-5 runners react to being on the national stage. Michael Krisch and Michael Banks are both seniors and will want to go out on top. 2007 National Finish: 13th place
Iona (Northeast) Top Season Highlights: Pre-Nationals (2nd Blue Race, 123 points), Regionals (1st, 46 points). Top Athletes: Mohamed Khadraoui, Harbert Okuti, Andrew Ledwith, Ryan Sheridan, Chris Vizcaino, Alexander Soderberg, Josh Hibbs, Chase Pizzonia. Key to Success: One of the most consistent and dominating teams over the past five years, Iona will look to bring another trophy home to New York. All-American candidates Mohamed Khadraoui, Harbert Okuti and Andrew Ledwith all have a lot of national level racing experience, while Ryan Sheridan and Chris Vizcaino have their share of success as well. Many have discounted Iona all season long, but they shouldn't be. Iona's stock is on the rise and if their big three can each earn all-American and Sheridan and Vizcaino can place top 60, this team will all but be assured of another team trophy. 2007 National Finish: 2nd place
Iowa State (Midwest) Top Season Highlights: Roy Griak Inv. (2nd, 89 points), Pre-Nationals (10th Blue Race, 249 points), Big 12 Conference (3rd, 67 points), Regionals (4th, 107 points). Top Athletes: Kiel Uhl, Guor Marial, Hillary Bor, Kevin Born, Yonas Mebrahtu, Rico Loy, Joel Limo. Key to Success: Few teams have the talent Iowa State has up top. The Cyclones talented trio of Kiel Uhl, Guor Marial and Hillary Bor will all be searching for an all-American honors. If the trio can run together much of the race and each finishes in the top 30 Iowa State has the potential to finish in the top ten. However, after those three the talent drops off a bit. Strong finishes from Kevin Born and Yonas Mebrahtu are a must. 2007 National Finish: 30th place
Michigan (Great Lakes) Top Season Highlights: Pre-Nationals (3rd White Race, 146 points), Big Ten Conference (2nd, 57 points), (Regionals (2nd, 62 points). Top Athletes: Ciaran O'Lionard, Lex Williams, Sean McNamara, Craig Forys, Justin Switzer, Brandon Fellows, Seth Thibodeau, Bobby Aprill, Tony Nalli. Key to Success: Pack running has helped this team dramatically this year. At regionals the Wolverines packed up their top four, all finishing within a quarter-second of one another, as Ciaran O'Lionard, Lex Williams, Sean McNamara and Craig Forys all looked strong. However, the squad sat out Justin Switzer and Brandon Fellows, two of their better runners, giving Michigan one more area to improve upon. This is the strongest Michigan squad seen in a few years and the time seems right for them to make a strong challenge for a top five finish at nationals. Patience early on may be the key to success for Michigan. 2007 National Finish: 24th place
Minnesota (Midwest) Top Season Highlights: Roy Griak Inv. (4th, 107 points), Pre-Nationals (5th White Race, 234 points), Big Ten Conference (3rd, 60 points), Regionals (2nd, 51 points). Top Athletes: Hassan Mead, Chris Rombough, Ben Blankenship, Matt Barrett, Mike Torchia, Mike McFarland, Ben Puhl. Key to Success: The dynamite 1-2 punch of Hassan Mead and Chris Rombough provide Minnesota the fire power needed to finish in the top ten. However, how well they place after that depends on how their 3-7 runners come through. Hassan Mead has looked like a top five runner all season long and after winning the Big Ten Championships and Midwest Regional, he is riding high. Rombough seems to have found consistency in his racing the past month as well and will be counted on for a top 15-20 finish. After that the door opens up and three of their next five will need to step up in a big way. 2007 National Finish: 8th place
N.C. State (Southeast) Top Season Highlights: Pre-Nationals (10th White Race, 366 points), ACC Conference (2nd, 56 points), Regionals (3rd, 111 points). Top Athletes: Bobby Mack, John Martinez, Ryan Hill, Gavin Coombs, Bobby Moldovan, Andrew North, Greg Dame. Key to Success: N.C. State hosts a nice mix of talent this year. Experienced runners like Bobby Mack, John Martinez and Gavin Coombs lead the way, while younger runners like Ryan Hill and Bobby Moldovan look to put their stamp on Wolfpack success as well. Mack and Martinez went out too hard at Pre-Nationals. If both control themselves in the first half of the race, all-American finishes are certainly not out of the question. 2007 National Finish: 18th place
Northern Arizona (Mountain) Top Season Highlights: OSU Cowboy Jamboree (2nd, 88 points), Pre-Nationals (2nd White Race, 113 points), Regionals (2nd, 65 points). Top Athletes: David McNeill, Ben Ashkettle, Morten Bostrom, Diego Estrada, Mark Fruin, John Killian, Eric Lynch, Jason Pedersen. Key to Success: Do not count out Northern Arizona. Slowly but surely this squad is coming on at the right time. While they placed second at the Mountain Regional, this team consistently gets discounted when talking about possible top six finishing teams. While that may be a reach this year, David McNeill is a top three contender, while Ben Ashkettle and Morten Bostrom have a lot of national experience. The "X" factor for Northern Arizona could come from Mark Fruin. Fruin, who's a grad. student at NAU, has raced very well all season long, but didn't compete at regionals. If he's healthy and on the starting line Monday NAU could pull off a top eight finish. 2007 National Finish: 4th place
Notre Dame (Great Lakes) Top Season Highlights: Pre-Nationals (11th White Race, 401 points), Big East Conference (2nd, 64 points), Regionals (4th, 124 points). Top Athletes: Patrick Smyth, Joe Miller, Dan Jackson, Daniel Clark, Jake Walker, Ryan Jacobs, Paul Springer. Key to Success: Senior Patrick Smyth showed at regionals that he is ready to take a stab at a top five finish on Monday individually, but the Fighting Irish will need much more than that if they hope to finish in the top 15. While Smyth placed first at regionals, second man Joe Miller placed 20th. The team's 2-4 runners ran a solid 11 second split, but fifth man Jake Walker was 17 seconds back from that. Notre Dame needs to close the 4-5 gap and then the pack needs to move 10-15 seconds closer to Smyth for a top 15 finish. 2007 National Finish: 21st place
Oklahoma State (Midwest) Top Season Highlights: OSU Cowboy Jamboree (1st, 38 points), Big 12 Conference (1st, 26 points), Regionals (1st, 42 points). Top Athletes: German Fernandez, John Kosgei, Ryan Vail, David Chirchir, Colby Lowe, Matt Barnes-Smith, Ryan Little, Clay Mayes, Daniel Watts. Key to Success: Are they the favorites of the underdog? Many would have to say the underdog considering Oregon won nationals last year, but this team is running like a national championship type squad. German Fernandez, John Kosgei, Ryan Vail and David Chirchir should all earn top 25 finishes, with Fernandez, Kosgei and Vail reaching for top ten finishes. Chirchir ran strong all season long minus his performance at conference. The "X" factor for the Cowboys is freshman Colby Lowe. Lowe has shown he is a top 25 threat all season long, but he has yet to prove his talent over 10k. The Texas native sat out regionals, resting up for nationals. If he can be their fifth man and crack the top 25 OSU could very well be taking home the first place trophy Monday afternoon. 2007 National Finish: 3rd place
Oregon (West) Top Season Highlights: Bill Dellinger Inv. (1st, 49 points), Pac 10 Conference (1st, 28 points), Regionals (1st, 38 points). Top Athletes: Galen Rupp, Luke Puskedra, Shadrack Kiptoo-Biwott, Andrew Wheating, Kenny Klotz, Diego Mercado, Matt Centrowitz, Danny Mercado, Chris Winter, Curtis Suver. Key to Success: The defending champions find themselves back in a familiar place, vying for a national title once again. Galen Rupp is considered the favorite Monday after his sub-28 performance at regionals seemed to stir up the Rupp support nation wide, while teammate Shadrack Kiptoo-Biwott is coming on strong at the right time of year and should contest for a top five finish. Third man Luke Puskedra is running incredibly well for a freshman and could push a top ten finish as well, although a top 15 finish may be more likely. The key to success for the Ducks comes from their 4-5 runners. Andrew Wheating sat out of regionals to prepare for the 10k national race. Many think the course is a bit too long for the 800m Olympian, but he's done well at the 8k distance, and lets not forget how much success Coach Lananna had at Stanford with his 800m/mile runners. Kenny Klotz, Diego Mercado or Matt Centrowitz will need to come up big and push the top 25 if they hope to take home the top prize yet again. 2007 National Finish: 1st place ('07 national champs)
Penn State (Mid-Atlantic) Top Season Highlights: Big Ten Conference (4th place, 133 points), Regionals (2nd, 73 points) Top Athletes: Vince McNally, Kyle Dawson, Tyler McCandless, John Mahoney, Dennis O'Connor, Brian Fuller. Key to Success: Few thought Penn State would advance the way they did, but the talented duo of Vince McNally and Kyle Dawson came up big for the Nittany Lions, as they placed second at regionals as a team, both individuals placing in the top ten. The 1-5 split grew to 1:18, which they will need to drastically shrink for a top 20 finish. The squad only competed with six runners at regionals, so it will be exciting to see who else they place in their top seven. 2007 National Finish: DNC
Portland (West) Top Season Highlights: Bill Dellinger Inv. (2nd, 56 points), Regionals (3rd, 85 points). Top Athletes: David Kinsella, Alfred Kipchumba, Tommy Betterbed, Colin Longmuir, Justin Houck, Mike Quackenbush, Matt Frerker. Key to Success: One of the surprise athletes of the season thus far has been Alfred Kipchumba. Kipchumba has quickly become a top 12 threat and with teammate David Kinsella provide Portland with a very strong 1-2 punch. Third man Tommy Betterbed has run consistent all year and should be once again at Nationals, while the team will need strong performances by their 4-5 runners if they hope to contend for a trophy. A trophy finish is not ouf the question for this team, but it is a long shot at this point. 2007 National Finish: 14th place
Providence (Northeast) Top Season Highlights: Pre-Nationals (9th White Race, 321 points), Big East Conference (4th, 89 points), Regionals (2nd, 88 points). Top Athletes: David McCarthy, Richard Yeates, Hayden McLaren, Dominic Channon, Michael Anderson, Nick Barao, Stephen Hankinson. Key to Success: While front man David McCarthy is a legitimate threat to finish in the top 12 at Nationals, Providence lacks the depth they've shown in the past. While Richard Yeates, Hayden McLaren and freshman Dominic Channon all have shown flashes of high level running, having a consistent 2-4 presence in the chase pack at Nationals is increasingly important. Without a solid pack of runner Providence will have a tough time cracking the top 15. 2007 National Finish: 27th place
Stanford (West) Top Season Highlights: Pre-Nationals (1st Blue Race, 77 points), Pac 10 Conference (2nd, 47 points), Regionals (2nd, 72 points). Top Athletes: Chris Derrick, Garrett Heath, Elliott Heath, Hakron DeVries, Jake Riley, Brendan Gregg, Hari Mix, Chris Mocko. Key to Success: If Stanford can replicate their performance at Pre-Nationals they will most certainly be in the top five. At Pre-Nationals the Cardinal proved they were the best team of the day regardless of race, running very strong the first half of the race, then coming on strong at the end. Freshman Chris Derrick leads the way and should vie for a top ten finish, while Garrett and Elliott Heath are needed for strong races. Stanford needs at least one other individual to earn all-American status if they hope to trophy and will need a strong 3-5 immediately after their second. 2007 National Finish: 19th place
Texas A&M (South Central) Top Season Highlights: Chili Pepper Inv. (1st, 52 points), Conference (4th, 95 points), Regionals (1st, 39 points). Top Athletes: Shadrack Songok, Kevin McNab, Kevin Ondrasek, Joe Sauvageau, Mitch Bible, Logan Sherman, Graham Northcutt. Key to Success: It's easy to predict that Shadrack Songok will finish in the top ten, perhaps even the top five, but it is very difficult to predict where Texas A&M will end up team wise. A low point up top certainly does not hurt, but they'll need to keep their 2-5 tighly packed like regionals if they hope to finish in the top 12. Nearly a minute split from Songok to their second runner needs to drop by at least ten seconds. 2007 National Finish: DNC
Tulsa (Midwest) Top Season Highlights: Pre-Nationals (7th Blue Race, 212 points), Conference USA (1st, 27 points), Regionals (3rd, 68 points). Top Athletes: John Beattie, Mark Davidson, Eddie Henshaw, Lewis Timmins, Kyle Dekker, Eric Harris, Carl Stones. Key to Success: One of the most overlooked squads in the country, if not the most overlooked, Tulsa is showing that they could be that mid-level sized school that cracks the top ten this year. Led by top 15 hopeful John Beattie, Tulsa is running strong at the right time. The team placed third at the Midwest Regional, only 17 points behind runner-up Minnesota, while running a 34 second split 1-5. That same style of race Monday should put them in the top ten. 2007 National Finish: 29th place
UCLA (West) Top Season Highlights: Pre-Nationals (5th Blue Race, 196 points), Pac 10 Conference (5th, 106 points), Regionals (6th, 145 points) Top Athletes: Drew Shackleton, Laef Barnes, Marco Anzures, Marlon Patterson, Kent Morikawa, Mike Haddan, Kevin Sullivan. Key to Success: Despite lacking an all-American front runner, UCLA has high hopes for Monday. The Bruins waited for their chance to run Nationals all season long and now it's finally here. Laef Barnes and Drew Shackleton lead the charge for the team, while the squad's 1-5 split came in under a minute at regionals. If Barnes and Shackleton can push for a top 45 finish the team has a shot to perhaps finish in the top 20 teams, otherwise they'll be looking in from the outside. 2007 National Finish: DNC
Villanova (Mid-Atlantic) Top Season Highlights: Big East Conference (3rd, 78 points), Regionals (3rd, 84 points) Top Athletes: Hugo Beamish, Ben Guest, Daniel Lewis, Keith Capecci, Steven Curley, Chris Williams, Carl Mackenzie. Key to Success: Hugo Beamish is certainly a talented individual with talent to finish in the top ten at Nationals, but if Villanova wants to claim a top 15 finish they are going to need to bring their 1-5 split to well under 70 seconds, instead of the 1:42 split they had at regionals. Ben Guest and Daniel Lewis will be counted on to lead the pack. 2007 National Finish: 25th place
Virginia (Southeast) Top Season Highlights: Pre-Nationals (6th Blue Race, 205 points), ACC Conference (1st, 40 points), Regionals (2nd, 67 points). Top Athletes: Emil Heineking, Ryan Foster, Ryan Collins, Graham Tribble, Andrew Jesien, Andy Biladeau. Key to Success: This young squad needs some big performances from their most experienced runners if they hope to finish in the top eight. Sophomore Emil Heineking was one of the surprise performers last year as a freshman, earning all-American honors. While he's been up and down this season, Heineking ran a great regional race. If he and teammate Ryan Foster can team up at Nationals, that should provide a very strong 1-2 combination up top. The squad will rely heavily on Ryan Collins, but need senior leader Andy Biladeau to come up with a big race. 2007 National Finish: 12th place
Washington (West) Top Season Highlights: Pre-Nationals (11th Blue Race, 306 points), Pac 10 Conference (3rd, 104 points), Regionals (5th, 122 points). Top Athletes: Jeremy Mineau, Kelly Spady, Mike Schmitt, Jon Harding, Jordan Swarthout, Chris Ahl, Colton Tully-Doyle. Key to Success: Surprise, surprise. While all the attention in Seattle has been focused on the women's team this season, and rightfully so, the men's team went about their business at regionals and finished fifth overall. Jeremy Mineau led the team with a strong eighth place showing, while 2-5 all finished within less than 30 seconds of one another. The team needs another strong showing such as this to place in the top 12, with Mineau getting all-American status. 2007 National Finish: DNC
William & Mary (Southeast) Top Season Highlights: Pre-Nationals (6th White Race, 242 points), Regionals (1st, 66 points). Top Athletes: Jon Grey, Colin Leak, Patterson Wilhelm, Ben Massam, Lewis Woodard, Charlie Swartz, Harry Miller. Key to Success: Running a 54 second 1-5 split at regionals, William and Mary is showing they have the potential to be a top ten team this year. Despite losing a few key runners from 2007, this team is back and looking strong. A one point victory over a tough Virginia squad at regionals should provide this squad plenty of momentum heading into Monday's race. Jon Grey and Colin Leak lead the way for the top and will need to finish in the top 40 for a top ten team finish. 2007 National Finish: 15th place
Wisconsin (Great Lakes) Top Season Highlights: Big Ten Conference (1st, 40 points), Regionals (1st, 39 points) Top Athletes: Landon Peacock, Christian Wagner, Jack Bolas, Stuart Eagon, Craig Miller, Matt Withrow, Ryan Gasper, Elliot Krause. Key to Success: Did Wisconsin show all their cards at Big Ten's a few weeks back? Doubtful. And they certainly didn't show everything at the Great Lakes Regional, despite picking up yet another victory. The Badgers are closing out the season running high, and will looked upon once again to contend for a trophy. Front runner Landon Peacock has led the way the last two meets and is shaping into a top 15 contender. If Christian Wagner, Jack Bolas, Stuart Eagon and Craig Miller can pack it up and be at the tail end of all-American this squad will do quite well. The "X" factors for the team are Bolas and senior Matt Withrow. Bolas sat out regionals to rest up for Monday's 10k, while Withrow has yet to show his true talent yet this fall. A big race by either competitor would be big for the Badgers. 2007 National Finish: 5th place
