The Top Five NCAA Women's Teams To Watch In This Cross Country Season

Coming off the collegiate three-peat, the North Carolina State women are still the favorite to win it all in Wisconsin.

Jul 15, 2024 by Maxx Bradley

The Top Five NCAA Women's Teams To Watch In This Cross Country Season

For the first time in a long time, the upcoming NCAA cross country season won't feature Katelyn Tuohy or Parker Valby.

That means we're entering a new era of collegiate distance running.

Five national powers from the ACC, Big Sky, Big 10, Big East and SEC are among the top contenders in all of Division I.

Here are five of the top women's programs heading into the 2024 season.

North Carolina State University

Laurie Henes' squad has proven time and time again that they're always in a world of their own.

Last November, in a fantastic comeback which should live in cross country lore, the Wolfpack edged the Northern Arizona women, 123-124, successfully earning a collegiate three-peat.

As the North Carolina State women shoot for a fourth-straight title, they'll have to do it without the likes of Katelyn Tuohy and Kelsey Chmiel. However, both Sam Bush and Amaris Tynnismaa have eligibility to come back and underclassmen Leah Stephens, Grace Hartman and Hannah Gapes all have a championship season under their belt.

Henes' group of newcomers is also one of the best in the country, as freshman Ellie Shea and Bethany Michalak could each make an immediate impact. Six-time NCAA DIII national champion Fiona Smith is making the most of her fifth-year, as she'll bring a 19:51 6K personal best to the table as transfers in from St. Benedict's College.

All-in-all, NC State remains the team to beat for another year.

Northern Arizona University

Just eight months ago, the NAU women came within a single point of capturing what would have been the program's first-ever national title. After losing three of their top seven to graduation this spring, it'll be a test for the national runner-ups.

Elise Stearns is the lone All-American returning this fall, but Ruby Smee, Ali Upshaw, Maggi Congdon all finished in the top 60 at NCAAs and all three could potentially jump to All-American status by November.

Colorado transfer Karrie Baloga is coming off an All-American performance in her first season under Mike Smith, which could bode for a breakout year on the grass. The Lumberjacks also brought in Alex Carlson, a Rutgers transfer who is pretty quick and has a lot of potential with Smith.

Even while having to replace key scorers from last year's stellar team, NAU is the biggest threat to topple NC State.

University of Oregon

As we head into Jerry Schumacher's and Shalane Flanagan's third season, the duo at the helm of Oregon and the Bowerman Track Club have returned it to relevancy.

The Ducks could very well see themselves in the hunt for a national title, which would be their first since 2016. They finished 10th at NCAAs a season ago.

Top returner Maddy Elmore had a terrific season on the track, running 4:31 and 15:15 over the mile and 5,000m, and she will be back for what's sure to be tremendous senior year. The Eugene native will be a force to be reckoned with and a contender for a top-ten finish.

Both Anika Thompson, and Katie Clute are also returning for another go, and each could be primed for a big jump -- though Clute will be competing at the World U20 Championships in August, which could slow her return to the grass.

Most importantly, the incoming freshman class put together by the coaches features Isabel Conde de Frankenberg, Ali Ince and Nicole and Sam Humphries. Those four recent high school graduates were among the top recruits in the nation for the Class of 2024.

There's a very good chance we could see at least one or two of them scoring for the Ducks in no time.

Providence College

After showing flashes of potential leading up to the 2023 NCAA Championships, the Friars had a tough day at Panorama Farms, finishing 28th. That was right in line with where their national rankings stood before NCAAs.

Months later, the program started gaining momentum after Kimberley May ran a 4:27 mile, which was the eighth-fastest time in NCAA history at the time.

Over the course of both the indoor and outdoor track seasons, Ray Treacy's group collected four All-American honors, highlighted by the 2-6 finish from Kimberley May and Shannon Flockhart in the 1,500m.

Both women are back for the upcoming season and with the additions of UMASS Lowell transfer Kenzie Doyle and freshman Emily Bush, the Friars could make a push. If each of the newcomers can contribute, it would be great for their first year in the program

University of Florida

Unfortunately for fans of the Gators, the 2024 season is set to be a Valby-less one, as six-time national champion Parker Valby will enter her professional era following a historic career in Gainesville.

However, nine-time All-American Hilda Olemomoi announced she'd be reuniting with her previous coaches, as the former Alabama star will join the 2023 SEC champions.

Allison Wilson and Elise Thorner are two of the top returners from a year ago and will both look to make the leap to All-Americans with another year under coaches Will and Samantha Palmer.

The Palmer's also have a packed incoming class with Gabby Schmidt, Reagan Gilmore and Ashley Fitzgerald among the eight girls joining the program.

As of now it's unsure what this team will put together this fall, but don't be surprised if it exceeds expectations.

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