Check out the Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown where FloTrack ranks the top 31 cross country teams in the NCAA this season. The No. 18 spot goes to Iowa State this year, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

SR Perez Rotich (16:11 5K; 1st at '15 Big 12 XC; 42nd at '15 NCAA XC) 
JR Erin Hooker (16:11 5K; 34:00 10K; 151st at '15 NCAA XC)
FR Branna MacDougall (9:16 3K; 15:48 5K; 10th at '16 IAAF World U20; 42nd at '15 World Jr. XC)
SR Bethanie Brown (16:09 5K; 37th at '13 NCAA XC)
SO Abby Caldwell (9:32 3K; 10:19 3K SC; 193rd at '15 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Branna MacDougall via Canada (9:16 3K; 15:48 5K; 10th at '16 IAAF World U20; 42nd at '15 World Jr. XC)
Gwynne Wright via Packwood, IA (4:43 1500; 10:15 3K)
Larkin Chapman via Muscatine, IA (2:09 800)

Analysis:

The Iowa State Cyclones rode a high of success in the fall of 2014 that landed them a runner-up finish in the NCAA. Last fall, they lost the Big 12 Conference to Oklahoma State and fell to 24th in the NCAA, their worst program finish in their seven-consecutive appearances. 

2016 could be the season we see Iowa State make an impact again. They return Perez Rotich and Erin Hooker, who went 1-2 in the Big 12 Conference on the very tough Stillwater cross country course last fall. Though Rotich just missed out on All American honors, Hooker struggled to a 151st finish. Call it a bad day, but if these two secure top 30 finishes, the Cyclones will be back in business.

They also scored a great recruit in Canadian Branna MacDougall. At the IAAF World U20 Championships this summer, the Ontario native finished 11th in 15:48.80, a mark that would have ranked her No. 7 in the NCAA this spring. MacDougall also brings international cross country experience over 5K and 6K, which should make an immediate impact on the Cyclone squad.

Key factors in the Cyclones success will be the health and fitness of Bethanie Brown and Abby Caldwell. Brown was an All American in 2013 and 53rd in 2014. She competed in one race last fall but ran 16:25 this spring in the 5K and finished fourth in the Big 12. Caldwell competed scarcely this spring but was a contributor for ISU last fall, finishing 15th and 19th at the conference and regional races. It looks as if Brown is on the upswing and could return to her 2013 ways, and if Caldwell is healthy and improves, the Cyclones should take back the Big 12 and challenge some teams in the NCAA.

Previously:
#19 Syracuse
#20 San Francisco
#21 Kansas
#22 Weber State
#23 Cal
#24 North Carolina
#25 BYU
#26 Virginia
#27 Villanova
#28 Vanderbilt
#29 Texas
#30 Florida
#31 Minnesota