Follow our 2018 FloXC Countdown, where FloTrack ranks the top cross country teams in the NCAA this season, which will be LIVE on FloTrack. The No. 8 men’s spot in DIII goes to MIT, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

SR Josh Rosenkranz (14:44 5K; 47th at ’17 NCAA XC)

SR Aidan Gilson (8:17 3K; 9:05 3K SC; 157th at ’17 NCAA XC)

JR Brian Bates (8:49 3K; 196th at ’17 NCAA XC)

JR Billy Woltz (8:39 3K; 227th at ’17 NCAA XC)

JR Josh Derrick (8:42 3K; 15:11 5K)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

N/A

Analysis:

Although just 16th a year ago at nationals, MIT has positioned themselves for a run at the top 10 with a lineup of upperclassmen primed for nationals success. Despite losing No. 1 man Dennis Maloney (19th at NCAAs) to graduation, the Engineers return four of their top seven with plenty of upside potential.

The leader of the bunch is likely to be senior Josh Rosenkranz, who was 47th at NCAAs last November. His near All-American finish was all the more impressive considering it was his debut on the stage, and that experience will be invaluable for Rosenkranz going forward. Closely behind, or possibly even ahead of Rosenkranz, will be fellow senior Aidan Gilson. His All-American status on the track shows he’s way better than 157th in cross country. Expect more in 2018.

Coach Halston Taylor will have three juniors at the backend of his top five, including two men who raced at the national meet as sophomores. Brian Bates and Billy Woltz were well back in the pack last fall in Elsah, Illinois, but improvements on the track show that they are capable of doing better on the grass. Josh Derrick will likely join that pair to round out the MIT scorers.

A lot has changed in the DIII landscape from last year with many top teams graduating big chunks of their rosters, and it's such a seismic shift that has opened the door for teams like MIT to have a crack at the top 10.   

FULL RANKINGS HERE