2017 FloXC CountdownSep 16, 2017 by Lincoln Shryack
2017 FloXC Countdown: #1 Adams State Men
2017 FloXC Countdown: #1 Adams State Men
2017 FloXC Countdown: #1 Adams State Men
Follow our 2017 FloXC Countdown, where FloTrack ranks the top ten cross country teams and individuals in the NCAA this season which will be LIVE on FloTrack. The No. 1 men's spot goes to Adams State, and here's why:
JR Sydney Gidabuday (13:36 5K; 29:08 10K; 4th at '16 NCAA XC)
SR Lucio Ramirez (14:27 5K; 29:58 10K; 9th at '16 NCAA XC)
SO Kale Adams (8:05 3K; 8:49 3K SC; 17th at '16 NCAA XC)
SR Chandler Reid (8:11 3K; 14:06 5K; 29th at '16 NCAA XC)
SO Joshua Joseph (14:15 5K ; 37th at '16 NCAA XC)
Picking the Adams State men to win the NCAA DII Cross Country Championships in any given year is usually a safe bet. After all, the Grizzlies have taken seven of the last nine titles in that department and haven't finished worse than second since 2002. This is a dynasty that isn't showing any signs of slowing down for legendary coach Damon Martin, who will once again usher in a loaded team with five returning All-Americans.
Junior Sydney Gidabuday is the Grizzlies' ace and the preseason favorite to win the individual crown. Gidabuday has two top-10 NCAA XC finishes on his resume and the track speed to rival some of the best talent in Division I. He's already a four-time national champion on the track, and with last year's cross country king Vincent Kiprop now running for Alabama, Gidabuday is ready to take the throne.
The four All-Americans behind Gidabuday could all be interchangeable on the day, but with another year of experience and Martin's track record of having his teams at their best for NCAAs, the rest of the Grizzlies' projected scorers should deliver once again. If senior-to-be Lucio Ramirez can catch fire like he did last fall to ultimately finish top-10 at NCAAs, and if sophomore Kale Adams can maintain his rapid trajectory towards stardom in his second year, Martin's squad has a legitimate shot to put three in the top 10 at nationals. With solid depth behind the front trio, that would all but guarantee another trip to the top of the podium for Adams State.
FULL MEN'S RANKINGS HERE
Probable Top Five:
JR Sydney Gidabuday (13:36 5K; 29:08 10K; 4th at '16 NCAA XC)
SR Lucio Ramirez (14:27 5K; 29:58 10K; 9th at '16 NCAA XC)
SO Kale Adams (8:05 3K; 8:49 3K SC; 17th at '16 NCAA XC)
SR Chandler Reid (8:11 3K; 14:06 5K; 29th at '16 NCAA XC)
SO Joshua Joseph (14:15 5K ; 37th at '16 NCAA XC)
Analysis:
Picking the Adams State men to win the NCAA DII Cross Country Championships in any given year is usually a safe bet. After all, the Grizzlies have taken seven of the last nine titles in that department and haven't finished worse than second since 2002. This is a dynasty that isn't showing any signs of slowing down for legendary coach Damon Martin, who will once again usher in a loaded team with five returning All-Americans.
Junior Sydney Gidabuday is the Grizzlies' ace and the preseason favorite to win the individual crown. Gidabuday has two top-10 NCAA XC finishes on his resume and the track speed to rival some of the best talent in Division I. He's already a four-time national champion on the track, and with last year's cross country king Vincent Kiprop now running for Alabama, Gidabuday is ready to take the throne.
The four All-Americans behind Gidabuday could all be interchangeable on the day, but with another year of experience and Martin's track record of having his teams at their best for NCAAs, the rest of the Grizzlies' projected scorers should deliver once again. If senior-to-be Lucio Ramirez can catch fire like he did last fall to ultimately finish top-10 at NCAAs, and if sophomore Kale Adams can maintain his rapid trajectory towards stardom in his second year, Martin's squad has a legitimate shot to put three in the top 10 at nationals. With solid depth behind the front trio, that would all but guarantee another trip to the top of the podium for Adams State.
FULL MEN'S RANKINGS HERE