Follow our 2018 FloXC Countdown, where FloTrack ranks the top 25 cross country teams and individuals in the NCAA this season which will be LIVE on FloTrack. And, be sure to watch our LIVE FloXC Podium Reveal Show Tuesday, September 11th at 10 AM CT. The No. 18 men’s spot goes to Virginia, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

SR Brent Demarest (8:09 3K; 13:56 5K; 29:07 10K; 19th at ‘17 NCAA XC)

JR Lachlan Cook (8:18 3K; 13:58 5K; 29:16 10K; 85th at ‘17 NCAA XC)

JR Ari Klau (8:09 3K; 13:57 5K; 115th at ‘17 NCAA XC)

SO Spencer Dodds (3:50 1500; 8:17 3K; 167th at ‘16 NCAA XC)

JR Alex Corbett (8:10 3K; 14:12 5K; 197th at ‘17 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Ryan Lockett via Poolesville, MD (4:08 Mile; 8:24 3K; 1st at ‘17 MD State XC)

Colton Bogucki via Purcellville, VA (4:14 1600; 8:58 3200)

Analysis:

Former coach Pete Watson is gone after leaving Charlottesville for the Texas job, but with four of the top five from last year’s 16th place NCAA team intact, and the return of a familiar face in Jason Dunn as head coach, the Cavaliers are well-equipped to make a run at the top 15 this season.

All-American Brent Demarest is back to lead the Hoos at the front of the NCAA pack. Demarest was 19th in Louisville last fall, and he is the top returner in the ACC after finishing runner-up to Justyn Knight at the 2017 conference meet. A good day could see Demarest place in the top 10 in Madison.

Lachlan Cook and Ari Klau will join Demarest to form a strong top three with considerable NCAA experience. Cook and Klau have each run at the national meet twice already, with both men improving considerably in their second go-around. A similar jump in their third NCAA attempt could a boon to UVA’s chances of cracking the top 15 in November. 

Head coach Jason Dunn-- who was the XC boss at Virginia from 2004 to 2008-- is back in charge to fill Watson’s role. Dunn, who led the Cavaliers to a 12th place finish in his final cross country season in Charlottesville back in 2007, had served as the director of track and field operations at UVA since 2016 before accepting the new role upon Watson’s vacancy. His familiarity with the program should make for a seamless transition.

Spencer Dodds and Alex Corbett slot into the projected top five based on past NCAA experience, but Virginia has many candidates to fill the No. 4 and 5 scorers. Corbett was UVA’s fifth man in Louisville last fall.

FULL RANKINGS HERE