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. 7 men’s spot in DIII goes to RPI, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

SR Grant O’Connor (14:10 5K; 29:19 10K; 4th at ’17 NCAA XC)

SR Sean O’Connor (8:21 3K; 14:35 5K; 69th at ’17 NCAA XC)

JR Joe Domanico (15:29 5K; 126th at ’17 NCAA XC)

JR Joe Pisacano (15:18 5K; 175th at ’17 NCAA XC)

SO Jacob Davis (15:29 5K; 192nd at ’17 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

N/A

Analysis:

An individual title contender and four of their top five returning in 2018 makes the outlook for the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) look very promising this cross country season. 

The Engineers will be led by the O’Connor duo, Grant and Sean, their captains from last season and two very experienced seniors. Grant won the NCAA outdoor 5k this past spring and was runner-up in the 10k, and he will be the second-best returner at NCAA cross this fall. Sean ran PRs in the mile, 3k, and 5k on the track and could join his star teammate as an All-American this November.

The Engineers were just 14th at nationals in 2017, but another year of experience should be helpful for Joe Domanico, Joe Pisacano, and Jacob Davis, each of whom made their NCAA debuts last fall. Given that so many runners enjoy big improvements once they have an NCAA meet under their belt, it’s easy to see at least two of those three dipping inside the top-100 this season. 

With the strength of the O’Connors, an improvement like that from the 3, 4, and 5 runners might be good enough to give RPI a shot at the NCAA podium.

FULL RANKINGS HERE