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. 5 men's spot goes to Stanford, and here's why:

Probable Top Six:

SR Grant Fisher (7:48 3K; 13:30 5K; 5th at ’17 NCAA XC)

SR Steven Fahy (7:54 3K; 8:34 3K SC; 13:44 5K; 17th at ’17 NCAA XC)

JR Alex Ostberg (13:59 5K; 16th at ’17 NCAA XC)

SO Callum Bolger (4:05 Mile; 8:22 3K; 138th at ’17 NCAA XC)

SO Alek Parsons (13:58 5K; 29:59 10K; 145th at ’17 NCAA XC)

SR Tai Dinger (8:09 3K; 14:09 5K; 83rd at ’17 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Clayton Mendez via Chicago, IL (4:05 Mile; 8:59 3200; 9th at ’17 NXN)

Josh Schumacher via Portland, OR (8:53 2 Mile; 14:29 5K; 4th at ’17 OR State XC)

Andy Monroe via Central Point, OR (4:09 Mile)

Analysis:

The Stanford men appear to be on the cusp of making the podium for the fifth year in a row. The Cardinal returns all seven men from last year’s fourth-place finish and their No. 5 ranking here is more indicative of the relative strength of the teams ahead rather than any flaws in their youthful line-up. 

Team leader Grant Fisher has yet to make a misstep at a major championship and has finished fifth at NCAA XC for the past two years in a row. Alex Ostberg and Steven Fahy were major difference-makers in last year’s late surge to the podium as they finished 16th and 17th in Louisville. While Ostberg’s progress is hard to measure given he sat out much of the track season, Fahy made major strides forward this year, earning berths at the NCAA Championships both indoors (9th, 5K) and outdoors (3rd, steeplechase) and winning his first Pac-12 title in the steeple.

Wildcards on this roster include Thomas Ratcliffe and D.J. Principe, both of whom are major talents who have not yet contributed at the NCAA Championships. There’s also potential for top-ranked recruits Clayton Mendez (#9 recruit in the Class of 2018) and Josh Schumacher (#20 recruit) to make an immediate impact.

FULL RANKINGS HERE