UPDATE: California's pre-season ranking has been changed to No. 17 due to a last minute NCAA transfer.

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. 17 women's spot goes to California, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

SR Bethan Knights (9:07 3K; 15:45 5K; 33:30 10K; 23rd at ‘17 NCAA XC)

SO Brie Oakley (9:17 3K; 16:02 5K; 38th at ‘17 NCAA XC)

JR Brenley Goertzen (9:19 3K; 15:51 5K; 108th at ‘16 NCAA XC)

SR Jordyn Colter (2:05 800; 4:21 1500; 194th at ‘17 NCAA XC)

SO Annie Boos (10:17 3K SC; 206th at ‘17 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Brenley Goertzen via TCU (9:19 3K; 15:51 5K; 108th at ‘16 NCAA XC)

McKenna Brown via Carlsbad, CA (4:47 Mile; 10:15 3200; 2nd at '17 CA State XC)

Analysis:

After a solid 22nd place finish last year in Louisville, the Cal Golden Bears return two All-Americans and four of their top five from 2017. As such, the Bears should improve their nationals finish in 2018, especially with the addition of former Big 12 champion and TCU transfer Brenley Goertzen to the roster. This group looks primed to notch their best NCAA finish since they were 18th in 2011.

Knights and Oakley were a phenomenal 1-2 punch last year, and even though Knights won’t race until the end of the season as she returns from an injury, both ladies will have All-American expectations in 2018. Oakley had a nice freshman track season to complement her excellent fall, and could be a top 20 performer as a sophomore. If she’s healthy, the same is true for the senior Knights.

Goertzen is new to Berkeley after spending the first-half of her career at TCU. Goertzen improved dramatically during her time in Fort Worth, going from an athlete who ran 5:10 for the mile as a freshman in 2016 to the 2017 Big 12 indoor 5,000m champion and the owner of a 15:51 PR. She was just 108th in her lone appearance at NCAA XC in 2016, but if she’s fit, she should be much better this season.

The Bears' final two spots in the top five are fluid, but Jordyn Colter and Annie Boos are the strongest candidates at the moment. Both finished near 200th place last fall, and they will be pushed for scoring positions by teammates Marissa Dobry and Chloe Hansel. All four competed for Cal in Louisville in 2017.

FULL RANKINGS HERE