Check out the Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown where FloTrack ranks the top 31 cross country teams in the NCAA this season. The No. 8 spot goes to Stanford this year, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

SO Elise Cranny (4:09 1500; 8:58 3K; 15:49 5K; 12th at '14 NCAA XC)
JR Vanessa Fraser (4:19 1500; 9:09 3K; 15:41 5K; 40th at '15 NCAA XC)
JR Julia Maxwell (9:32 3K; 16:18 5K; 129th at '15 NCAA XC)
SR Danielle Katz (10:11 3K SC; 9:21 3K; 16:09 5K; 150th at '15 NCAA XC)
FR Ella Donaghu (4:34 1600; 10:25 3200; 2nd at '15 NXN)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Christina Aragon via Billings, MT (2:04 800; 4:08 1500)
Ella Donaghu via Portland, OR (4:34 1600; 10:25 3200; 2nd at '15 NXN)
Hannah DeBalsi via Westport, CT (4:49 1600; 9:55 3200; 12th at '15 FL XC)
Fiona O'Keeffe via Davis, CA (4:47 1600; 10:04 3200; 2nd at '15 Brooks PR 2 Mile) 

Analysis:

Although the Stanford women had a tough 2015 cross country season, the Cardinal team is reloading with the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. 

Not only does Stanford bring back All American Vanessa Fraser, but the team also returns NCAA runner-up Elise Cranny. Cranny suffered from injury last fall and redshirted the season, but prior to 2015, she notched a 12th-place finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships and several top finishes at the NCAA track championships. Fraser had a breakout track season herself after notching a 15:41 5K personal best and a 13th-place finish at the NCAA championships. 

The incoming freshmen squad will be the Cardinal's biggest weapon as world junior bronze medalist Christina Aragon, Nike Cross Nationals runner-up Ella Donaghu, Foot Locker finalist Hannah DeBalsi, and Nike Cross Nationals finalist Fiona O'Keeffe are projected to make an immediate impact on the team score. 

With several low sticks, a tight returning pack, and four talented incoming freshmen, Stanford should be a solid top 10 team.

Previously:
#9 Michigan State
#10 Boise State
#11 Notre Dame
#12 Arkansas
#13 Harvard
#14 Georgetown
#15 Washington
#16 Princeton
#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