NCAA XC Top 31 Countdown: Men's #9- Portland

Editor's note: For the next month, The Wood Report will be counting down projected team finishes in this year's NCAA Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, IN.

#9

Portland

Head Coach: Rob Conner (24th Season)

2012 National Finish- 12th

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Key Returners from 2012

• Scott Fauble (Jr., 3:45 1500m, 14:00 5k, 29:11 10k)
• David Perry (Jr., 3:45 1500m, 13:58 5k, 29:09 10k)
• William Kincaid (Jr., 3:45 1500m, 13:58 5k, 29:49 10k)

Impact Recruits/Transfers

• William Krebs (Jr., From Germany- 8:02 Open 3k, 14:13 5k, 29:21 10k)
• Josh Gorecki (Sr., 14:10 5k)
• Danny Martinez (Redshirt Frosh, 8:57 3200m (HS), 9th USA Jr XC Champs '13)
• Ryan Poland (Jr., 8:01 Open 3k, 14:03 5k, 29:30 10k)

Season Preview

Editor's note: Ryan Poland of Oklahoma has now transferred to Portland. This addition makes Portland even better. 

There is not a team in the country, besides BYU, that I know more about than Portland. After studying their athletes and their performances very closely over the last three years, Portland is as consistent a team in the country of producing when it matters and Rob Conner is a master recruiter. Even if there seemingly should be a down year in Portland, like last season (Dunbar, Osoro and Kipchumba gone) Conner still somehow won the West Coast Championship, was 2nd in the West Regional and finished 12th in Louisville. 

With a very solid core group of returning studs and some very good incoming guys, the Pilots are looking like a much improved team from 2012. Everything starts with the three guys from Colorado. Scott Fauble, David Perry and William (Woody) Kincaid lead this sqaud and are the heart and soul of the program.

Scott Fauble has been the no. 1 runner for the Pilots for the majority of the last year. Fauble is a tough competitor and has solid NCAA experience. His 11th place finish at NCAA at 10k in 2012 and 26th (All-American) finish at NCAAs last season is proof of that. He has very good range from 1500m to 10000 and needs to stay healthy and consistent for this triumvirate to do any damage. 

David Perry is a very talented athlete that lacks the consistency that Fauble has. He definitely has the ability to roll with Fauble in every move they make on the course or track, it is just a matter of him doing it when it matters most. In fact, Perry has the best PRs on the team on the track and is capable of being All-American in 2013, if he can stick to Fauble and stay consistently healthy and fit throughout the season. 

Woody Kincaid is a wildcard on this team. His huge run at the West Coast Cross Country meet in 2012 was a big reason why they upset BYU on their home course. Kincaid is a very untapped, talented athlete that if he can get the miles in this summer he could end up being the no. 1 runner on the team in 2013. Like Perry, Kincaid is a sub-14 5k guys and is capable of stepping up to 10k no problem. This three-headed monster is one of the best group of three in the NCAA and are all capable of All-American. 

Beyond these three are a lot of question marks and new guys. Jacob Smith, Izaic Yorks and Aiden Irish, all significant contributors in 2012, are now running for different schools, but the Pilots have filled their space with fresh new faces already. 

Danny Martinez is someone who can make an immediate impact for the Pilots. He is a proven cross country runner, having run well at the USA Junior meet this past year and was very good in high school. He can step right in to the top five and score for Portland. 

Robert Krebs and Josh Gorecki are even more of a question mark than Martinez. Krebs might be the most talented of the two for 10k, but they are seemingly even at 5k and under. Gorecki is an experienced veteran runner that has one year to produce for the Pilots. Krebs is also an older athlete (24) and with his track ability he should be looking at the no. 4 spot for Rob Conner for the majority of the season.

The West Coast Conference Championships will once again be a battle between BYU and Portland. Portland is coming down to Provo to race BYU early at the beginning of September at the BYU Autumn Classic and that race will be a good indication where everyone's fitness is at and how things will shape out at the end of the season. Portland has some studs, but are not nearly as deep as they have been in years past. If the transfers can step up and support the Colorado triumvirate, Portland is back in the top 10 at NCAAs in 2013. 

NCAA XC Top 31 Countdown: Women's #9- Connecticut

Editor's note: For the next month, The Wood Report will be counting down projected team finishes in this year's NCAA Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, IN.

#9

Connecticut

Head Coach: Amy Yoder-Begley (1st Season)

2012 National Finish- 8th

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New analysis: Many of these girls have now left with the loss of Coach Mcdonough

Key Returners from 2012

• Allison Lasinicki (Sr., 15:59 5k, 33:36 10k)
• Lauren Sara (Sr., 9:32 Open 3k, 16:21 5k, 33:48 10k)
• Brigitte Mania (Sr., 2:04 800m, 4:22 1500m, 9:48 Open 3k) 
• Abby Mace (So.)

Impact Recruits/Transfers

• Bethanie Brown (Fr., 4:50 1600m, 10:13 3200m, 16:41 NBON '13)- Transferred to Iowa State 

Season Preview

Andrea Grove-McDonough, the coach that helped bring UCONN to relevance, is now in Ames, Iowa and another women with a hyphenated last name has come in to replace her. Amy Yoder-Begley, a 2008 Olympian in the 10000m, is now at the helm in Storrs. Begley is in good hands with having been given a great group of athletes that have made a ton of progress in bringing this program into one of the nation's best. 

Things are always a bit different when a new coach comes in with a new philosophy and new style. It will be interesting to see how the Uconn girls respond to the new training programs and a different coach. Begley is a proven athlete and it always helps to know that your coach knows exactly what you're going through, if not more, and will be able to relate with her athletes on almost every level. 

Allison Lasinicki was the most consistent no. 1 runner for the Huskies (not counting NCAAs) in 2012 and is the most proven cross country runner on the squad. Lasinicki has all the motivation in the world as she had a very disappointing NCAA race in Louisville last season and is definitely All-American talented. 4th in the Big East and 3rd at the Northeast Regional, is certainly indicative of someone who is good enough to make the top-40 and Lasinicki should find herself in that range by the end of the season in Terre Haute. Her 9th place NCAAs finish outdoors in the 10k is also a good sign of her progression. 


Lauren Sara and Brigitte Mania combine to make a good second group for the Huskies behind Lasinicki. The faster they can close the gap between themselves and the top two, will significantly increase their team's chances at NCAAs. Sara and Mania are polar opposites on the track, but can meet in the middle quite well for 6k. Sara is a beast on the track for 10k and Mania is a middle-distance power and they play crucial roles in the top five for Uconn. 

Losing the likes of Lindsay Crevoiserat (transfer to Oregon), Shauna McNiff and Julia Zrinyi (got a release) will hurt this squad, but the signing of big time prep runner Bethanie Brown will help lessen the blow. Brown is a very good track girl who is very under experienced in cross country. Her track PRs prove her ability to run long events on the track, it's just a matter now of translating that to the cross country course. She should at least be their no. 5 runner the moment she steps on campus. 

This team is quite an intriguing team. A new coach, some girls who have stepped up recently and a very good newcomer in Storrs, the Huskies will give Georgetown all they want and more at conference and are capable of big things at the Big Dance in Terre Haute. 

NCAA XC Top 31 Countdown: Men's #10- Stanford

Editor's note: For the next month, The Wood Report will be counting down projected team finishes in this year's NCAA Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, IN.

#10

Stanford

Head Coach: Chris Miltenberg (2nd Season)

2012 National Finish- 16th

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Key Returners from 2012

• Erik Olson (Jr., 8:04 Open 3k, 13:46 5k, 29:06 10k)
• Joe Rosa (Jr., 8:05 Open 3k, 13:58 5k)
• Tyler Stutzman (Sr., 3:40 1500m, 8:06 Open 3k, 14:02 5k)
• Jim Rosa (Jr., 3:47 1500m, 8:04 Open 3k, 13:59 5k, 29:47 10k)
• Michael Atchoo (Sr., 3:39 1500m, 8:00 Open 3k)
• Kenny Krotzer (Sr., 3:48 1500m, 8:13 Open 3k)
• Thomas Graham (So., 8:09 Open 3k, 14:09 5k)
• Andrew Berberick (Sr., 3:44 1500m, 55th NCAA XC '11)

Impact Recruits/Transfers

• Sean McGorty (Fr., 4:03 1600m, 8:45 2 Mile, 2nd FL Finals '12, 10th FL Finals '11 NBON 2 Mile Champ '13, 2nd NBIN 2 Mile '13)

• Jack Keelan (Fr., 4:09 1600m, 8:50 3200m, 4th NBON 5k- 14:33, 2nd NBON 1 Mile, 26th NXN '12)

• Sam Wharton (Fr., NXN Champion '12, 6th FL Finals '12, 8:56 3200m, 5th NBON 5k '13)
• Patrick Gibson (Fr., 4:11 1600m, 9:01 3200m, FL Finalist '12)

Season Preview

Now that his first year as the Stanford head coach is under his belt, Coach Chris Miltenberg has his first recruiting class of his own to work with along with some horses to lead the charge for this Cardinal team in 2013. 

At first glance, this team is full of studs that are capable of making the top seven on most teams in the NCAA. Almost every single one of the athletes listed above were the big time names in the high school scene coming off of their graduation. The key now is for Miltenberg to help these athletes continually progress and reach their potential to bring Stanford back to the podium. 

There is no shortage of horses in the stable for the Cardinal coming into 2013. As things look right now Erik Olson is the best guy coming back for Stanford. Olson had a very good track season where he ran a huge 10k PR at the Stanford Invite and another big one for 5k at Payton Jordan. He also had a solid NCAA XC race and will be looking at an All-American finish in 2013 with the combination of his track and xc ability. 

The Rosa's are seemingly enigmatic. They have had ups and downs during their first few seasons in the Stanford uniform. Jim had a great Wisco Invite and West Regional (19th and 6th, respectively--struggled at Pac-12s) and Joe had good races at Wisco, Pac-12s and the West Regional (21st, 6th, and 4th), but for both of them the wheels really came off at NCAAs. The Rosa's are the key to a strong season for Stanford. It seems as if the team goes as the Rosa's go. If they can be even more consistent than they have been in the past, they are also potential All-Americans. 

Tyler Stutzman, Michael Atchoo, and Kenny Krotzer are all capable of having break-out years. Atchoo and Stutzman were awesome on the track, especially Atchoo, and if they can get the base beneath them, they could make the jump to 8k and 10k a little better. Atchoo has not been nearly as good as Stutzman has been in cross, but he could have a similar year as O'Hare did in 2012 (in terms of going from a mediocre xc guy to leading the team). All three of these guys are nice fits in any top seven that will be keeping the 1-5 spread as close as possible. 

Andrew Berberick could potentially be Stanford's ace in the hole. After a redshirt year in 2012, he should be fit (if he's healthy) and is no joke on the xc course. his 55th place finish at NCAAs in 2012 was outstanding and that kind of ability does not just fly away. If his fitness is where it should be, he is another guy to add to the list of someone that could be All-American. 

What makes Stanford even scarier, is their unreal good recruiting class. Sean McGorty was one of the best prep runners in the country last season and is an immediate impact kind of guy. He should find himself in the top five off of the bat. His high level experience in high school will prepare him nicely for the long NCAA season. McGorty is one of the few freshman that could actually crack the top-40 at NCAAs, which is very hard to do. 

The other freshman coming with McGorty are no slouches either. Jack Keelan has big time credentials (see above), Patrick Gibson was one of the best guys in Washington, and Sam Wharton was the NXN Champion in 2012 and is another very capable cross guy that could also make an immediate impact in the top seven. 

There is no lack of options for Miltenberg and he is one lucky guy to be working with this caliber of talent. What will be critical for Coach Miltenberg is to keep them training through some of the earlier invitationals to prepare them even better for NCAAs. Stanford has a history of struggling at Nationals, but if there is ever a Stanford squad that is capable of breaking that curse, this is the team to do it. 

NCAA XC Top 31 Countdown: Women's #10- Arizona

Editor's note: For the next month, The Wood Report will be counting down projected team finishes in this year's NCAA Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, IN.

#10

Arizona

Head Coach: James Li (12th Season)

2012 National Finish- 6th

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Key Returners from 2012

• Elvin Kibet (Sr., 9:12 Open 3k, 15:57 5k, 33:02 10k)
• Nicci Corbin (Jr., 4:20 1500m, 16:04 5k)
• Amanda Russell (Sr., 9:47 Open 3k, 16:43 5k)
• Stephanie Bulder (Jr., 16:49 5k, 35:19 10k)
• Clea Formaz (Jr., 9:53 Open 3k, 10:12 3k Steeple)
• Erin Menefee (Sr., 9:43 Open 3k, 10:41 3k Steeple)

Impact Recruits/Transfers

• Kayla Ferron (Fr., 4:52 1600m, 11:07 3200m, FL Finalist '12, 64th NXN '11)

Season Preview

Arizona is heading into the 2013 season with a lot of question marks, but two no-brainer potential All-Americans. Coach Li is a world-renowned coach for the work he has done with Bernard Lagat, Boaz and Lawi Lalang, Stephen Sambu, etc. If there is a coach that is capable of getting the group of athletes that he has ready to roll  for 2013, he can do it. 

The Wildcats will be leaning heavily on their two big guns, Elvin Kibet and Nicci Corbin. Those two girls are big-time talents and must lead Arizona in order to have a chance to be top-10. 

Elvin Kibet is the real deal. Her 5k and 10k PRs are top-notch and she is crucial to any success Arizona will have this season. Kibet was 16th at NCAAs in 2012 and is capable of scoring points somewhere in the 5-10 range. That kind of a low-stick does wonders for your overall team score. With a redshirt track season under her belt, Kibet should be fit, with a huge base, ready for a huge peak at NCAAs. 

Nicci Corbin is the other elite level athlete that is a vital piece to the puzzle for Coach Li's squad. Corbin has good range from 1500m to 5k which helps her nicely for 6k xc races. Corbin was awesome in the middle of the cross country season in 2012, but struggled a little bit at NCAAs. Corbin is a potential All-American, and for Arizona to be top-10, which they are capable of, she needs to find her self in the top-40 in Terre Haute.

The good news is that Arizona has some good core contributors that, if they step up this season, can keep the spread tight and hopefully help push Kibet and Corbin. Amanda Russell is the most likely no. 3 runner for the Wildcats and has had some success in cross country in the past. Russell looked good in the West Regional (which is brutally good), but similarly to Corbin, the wheels fell off at NCAAs. Russell has good track PRs and the fact that she knows she must rise to the occasion will help keep her motivated throughout the off-season and heading into the 2013 cross country year. 

Stephanie Bulder, Clea Formaz and Erin Menefee are solid pack runners that will be in the mix for the rest of the spots in the top seven. Coach Li desperately needs one of these girls to find another gear within themselves and step up to be the no. 4-6 runners. 

The lone recruit that the Wildcats brought in that will help out immediately is Kayla Ferron. With solid track PRs and quality high school cross country experience, she is just what Coach Li needed to fill the space that the seniors that graduated left. Ferron could be looking at being the no. 4 runner this year and if she can do so, will really help push the girls up front (no one wants to get beat by a freshman). 

Arizona has a brutal path to get to the NCAA meet having to get out of the Pac-12s and the West Regional to get there. The points must come early in the season to solidify their spot in Terre Haute. The good news is that they have some girls up front that will score low points and can keep them in the hunt of a top-10 team. If Russell, Ferron, and others do not respond like they should, Arizona will struggle to be top-10. On the other hand, if they can roll up front and step up, the Wildcats are once again another top program in the NCAA. 

NCAA XC Top 31 Countdown: Men's #11- Princeton

Editor's note: For the next month, The Wood Report will be counting down projected team finishes in this year's NCAA Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, IN.

#11

Princeton

Head Coach: Jason Vigilante (2nd Season)

2012 National Finish- 11th

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Key Returners from 2012

• Chris Bendtsen (Sr., 8:07 Open 3k, 13:57 5k, 29:32 10k) 
• Alejandro Arroyo-Yamin (Sr., 8:12 Open 3k, 14:02 5k, 29:27 10k)
• Tyler Udland (Sr., 8:12 Open 3k, 14:05 5k, 29:39 10k)
• Eddie Owens (Jr., 8:53 3k Steeple)
• Jonathan Vitez (Sr., 8:10 Open 3k, 14:09 5k)
• Sam Pons (Jr., 8:12 Open 3k, 14:14 5k)

Impact Recruits/Transfers

• William Paulson (Fr., 3:46 1500m, 8:24 Open 3k, 2nd Ireland U20 XC Champs '13)

Season Preview

Year in and year out, Jason Vigilante gets his guys rolling at a high level and racing well when it matters. He has an uncanny ability to motivate and plan the right training programs that prepare his athletes to perform at nationals. Last season's 11th place finish at NCAAs is proof of this. 11th is the best Princeton has ever finished at Nats and is looking to be just as good in 2013 as they were last year in Lousiville. 

The leaders of the Tigers are Chris Bendtsen and Alejandro Arroyo-Yamin. These athletes are absolute monsters in cross country and are pure cross guys (granted the had pretty good track seasons, to boot). Their 1-2 finish at HEPS in 2012 was outstanding and should be looking at a similar-type finish this year. 

Chris Bendtsen is returning for his senior season after the best year of his career. A near All-American finish in cross country and honorable mention honors on the track outdoors, sets him up for a potential All-American finish in 2013 in cross country. Bendtsen improved his 5k PR by 21 seconds on the track and as the leader of this team (once again) he will be counted on to push the pace up front with Arroyo-Yamin. 

Alejandro Arroyo-Yamin proved himself as a leader on this team last season as well, finishing 58th at NCAA in cross, 5th at the Mid-Atlantic Regional, and 10th at Notre Dame. As he rolls along with Bendtsen in 2013, they make a very good 1-2 punch and are both capable of top-40 finishes at NCAAs in cross. His less-than-stellar track season this spring is the motivation he needs to really bring it this upcoming season and to be the leader Vigilante needs him to be. 

Tyler Udland is a very good no. 3 runner for the Tigers and is just as capable as the previous athletes mentioned to lead this squad and will be looking to keep the gap as close as possible between him and Arroyo-Yamin and Bendsen. Udland had a similarly mediocre track season and will be looking to redeem himself at on the xc course. Udland is a very nice athlete to have in your top five and will be pushing in up-front in the Tigers pack in 2013. 

Sam Pons, Jonathan Vitez and Eddie Owens are viable options for scorers in Princeton's top five and have quality elite-level racing experience. These guys will be counted on to keep the spread from 1-5 as tight as possible. In fact, the spread for the Tigers should be very good this year and could be as close as :20 seconds in most of their races. By just looking at the track PRs of these athletes, they are all within similar ranges and could be scary good considering how close their spread will be. 

The wildcard for Princeton is big-time recruit from the U.K. William Paulson. A proven track and cross country athlete, Paulson is the perfect guy for Vig's system and should produce immediately. 

An 11th place ranking in the pre-season matches the way Princeton ended their season in 2012. To be honest, this seems a bit asinine by looking at how many guys return from their best season in school history last year. There are so many teams with top-notch athletes and recruits coming returning and coming for 2013. The Tigers are definitely capable of top-10, but will need to not be content to equal what they did last season. The NCAA is as deep as it has ever been this year and Princeton is among one of the most solid squads in the country, considering who they have returning from 2012. 

Princeton has a legitimate shot to win the Mid-Atlantic and HEPS (again) titles in 2013 and that kind of momentum just might push them over the edge and into the top-10 in Terre Haute. 

NCAA XC Top 31 Countdown: Women's #11- Michigan

Editor's note: For the next month, The Wood Report will be counting down projected team finishes in this year's NCAA Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, IN.

#11

Michigan

Head Coach: Mike McGuire (22nd Season)

2012 National Finish- 5th

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Key Returners from 2012

• Brook Handler (Jr., 4:22 1500m, 9:38 Open 3k, 10:26 3k Steeple)
• Shannon Osika (So., 4:20 1500m, 9:21 Open 3k, 16:35 5k)
• Taylor Manett (So., 4:28 1500m, 16:40 5k)
• Taylor Pogue (Jr., 9:37 Open 3k, 16:22 5k, 34:48 10k)
• Megan Weschler (Jr., 9:39 Open 3k, 16:48 5k, 10:26 3k Steeple)

Impact Recruits/Transfers

• Erin Finn (Fr., 4:45 1600m, 10:08 3200m, 16:17 5k, 2nd FL '11, 7th FL '10)

Season Preview

In 2012, Coach  Mike McGuire's squad was loaded with talented and experienced seniors that were ready to make the podium in Louisville. Although they barely missed the podium, the Wolverines had a great end to their season. With seniors Amanda Eccleston, Jillian Smith, Rebecca Addison and Lindsey Hilton (four of top five) graduated, this could be considered a "rebuilding year" for Michigan. 

The great news for Coach McGuire is that they have the pieces to still be a strong, contending team that will have a good shot to defend its Conference and Regional titles in 2013. Here's how:

Brook Handler had a huge race at NCAAs in 2012, which will give her the confidence that she needs to step into a leadership role and mix things up towards the front of the Wolverine pack. Handler came off her xc season and ran well outdoors, qualifying for the East Regional outdoors in the 1500m. 

Shannon Osika was a crucial part of the program last season. If she had not been out of action out NCAAs this past November, Michigan would have had a shot at the podium. A healthy Osika is going to be vital for the Wolverines because Osika is capable of All-American and is a contender for the no. 1 runner spot this season. She made the final at the East Regional for 1500m and knowing that she was unable to run at NCAAs for XC in 2012 will give her the motivation needed to step up in 2013. 

The two Taylor's (Manett and Pogue) will bring strong competitors and solid experience running at a high level. Pogue was not in the mix at the regional and national level in cross last season and will be needed to step up and be in their top five. Pogue had a good outdoor season running a nice 10k PR of 34:48 and open 3k PR indoors of 9:37. She can be a contributor if she can translate her track abilities to the xc course. 

Taylor Manett, although just coming off of her freshman campaign, is as experienced as any girl on the Michigan squad that is returning because of her big time racing abilities. Manett gets it done when it matters and proved that race in and race out in 2012. Because of this, Manett was selected to represent the USA at the Bupa XC Challenge this past December. Those kind of elite level competitions really open the eyes of athletes and will be a great benefit to her upcoming year. Taylor had a good outdoor season (4:28 and 16:40) and will be motivated to keep the Wolverines a contender in cross. 

A huge factor in 2013 will be the landing of one of the best high school distance runners of our time, Erin Finn. This local product has legitimate cross country and track credentials and is the epitome of the term "instant offense." Her track season in 2013 was off the charts good. Finn ran PRs of 16:17 for 5k and 10:08 for 3200m. There probably is not a single freshman in the country that is more motivated to perform in xc than Finn. 

After back to back top 10 finishes at Foot Locker Finals, including a second place performance in 2011, Finn failed to make the national finals in 2012. Finn is ready to roll for 2013 and could be an All-American in her first year (something similar to Laura Hollander, Allie McLaughlin-like freshman year is definitely achievable). 

With all this considered, there is so much parity on the women's side for this upcoming year. Michigan's ranking is mostly contingent on factors based "on paper." If Finn, Osika, and Manett have the kind of years they are capable of having, all three of them could be All-American. Throw in Handler, Pogue, Weschler, and anyone else who could be in the picture, the Wolverines are once again one of the best programs in the country in 2013. 

NCAA XC Top 31 Countdown: Men's #12- Texas

Editor's note: For the next month, The Wood Report will be counting down projected team finishes in this year's NCAA Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, IN.

#12

Texas

Head Coach: Brad Herbster (1st Season)

2012 National Finish- 9th

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Key Returners from 2012

• Craig Lutz (Jr., 3:49 1500m, 8:07 Open 3k, 14:00 5k, 29:22 10k)
• Ryan Dohner (Sr., 3:46 1500m, 7:58 Open 3k, 13:45 5k, 29:05 10k)
• Daniel Vertiz (So., 14:20 5k, 29:55 10k)
• Mark Pinales (Jr., 14:30 5k, 29:40 10k)
• Brady Turnbull (So., 3:47 1500m)
• Will Nation (Sr., 14:06 5k, 29:33 10k)

Impact Recruits/Transfers

• Nate Moore (Redshirt Frosh, 5:56 2k Steeple (US Jr. record)

Season Preview

Around Austin, Texas now-a-days things are a little bit different than they were in 2012. A new head coach, new cross country coach, and maybe of the leaders from the team last season are gone. Brad Herbster is now the man in charge and has been given a great crop of athletes to work with to get them ready to roll in 2013 and back to Terre Haute. 

The Longhorns do lose a good chunk of their depth from 2012 to graduation (Tunningley, McGregor, Merber, Van Ackeren, etc), but they have some guys waiting in the wings to take their place and fill the roles needed for Texas to be successful this season. 

Ryan Dohner and Craig Lutz are the leaders of this squad and are both potential top 10-15 finishers at NCAAs this year. 

Dohner has been one of the most consistent distance runners in the country for the past few seasons and is always in the mix up front in every race he is in. He might have struggled a bit toward the end of the outdoor track season,  but it was a long 2011-2012 for him and this summer was definitely needed for Dohner. He was very busy running well early during xc in 2012 where he finished 19th overall in Louisville. His third place finish at Big 12 Outdoors this spring was solid and the wheels came off a little at NCAAs. No matter, Dohner is for real and is a vital low-stick for the Longhorns. 

Craig Lutz is the complete opposite of Dohner from 2012. Lutz for the most part had a good cross country season, but an injury forced him to end his NCAA run early. The good news for Lutz is that he was able to turn around his year by ending it off with the best race of his career at NCAA outdoors in the 10k. His third place finish was astounding and surprised many of people in the country. He placed himself among the top-tier distance guys in the country and will have the opportunity to atone for his unfortunate XC Nats from 2012, this upcoming season. 

Daniel Vertiz, the prep star, is now one year older and more experienced and should be able to provide some quality depth in the top five and is their likely no. 3. His track PRs from 2012 are good and proof that he is capable of doing some good things out on the xc course. 

Mark Pinales is a quality middle pack guy who is experienced and will provide stability with his consistent running. Pinales had made good strides every year and if he continues to progress he could have a breakout season. 

Will Nation is the wildcard of this team because of his redshirt year last season, he might not be in the minds of many when they think of Texas' squad this year. He has very good track PRs and seemingly has the ability to roll with Pinales and Vertiz, if not be a legitimate no. 3 for the Longhorns. 

With all of these things considered, Texas is still going to be good even after the loss of some serious studs. The returning region champs from 2012, the Longhorns have some work to do to defend their title over Arkansas, but with some great front-running and some nice depth, the Brad Herbster is looking to have a very successful first year at the helm in Austin.