Check out the Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown where FloTrack ranks the top 31 cross country teams in the NCAA this season. The No. 16 spot goes to Princeton this year, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

JR Megan Curham (15:54 5K; 33:24 10K; 18th at '14 NCAA XC; Redshirted 2015-16)
SR Elizabeth Bird (4:25 1500; 9:18 3K; 9:54 3K SC; 58th at '15 NCAA XC)
SR Allie Markovich (4:26 1500; 10:26 3K SC; 228th at '15 NCAA XC)
JR Melinda Renuart (4:26 1500; 9:37 3K; 165th at '15 NCAA XC)
SO Brighie Leach (4:31 1500; 9:33 3K; 191st at '15 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Ally Rome via Dallas, PA (9:49 3K)
Madeleine Sumner via Calgary, CA (2:08 800; 4:25 1500)

Analysis:

The Princeton Tigers are returning from a 21st-place team finish at last year's NCAA championships, but could potentially run even faster this year with the return of Megan Curham. 

Curham competed unattached last year and posted season's bests of 16:14 in the 5K, 33:30 in the 10K, and a personal best of 74:29 in the half marathon. While competing in a Princeton uniform, Curham has notched a cross country Ivy League title and earned two All American honors. She will be a welcomed return to the Tiger squad.  

Last year's team was led by Lizzie Bird who claimed a 58th-place finish at the 2015 championships, her highest finish ever. Allie Markovich should also be a top contributor after finishing 29th at the Mid-Atlantic region championship last year and earning a NCAA region qualification in the steeplechase. 

These team leaders plus more contributors on the Princeton squad could help the Tigers improve upon last year's finish.

Previously:
#17 Penn State
#18 Iowa State
#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