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. 4 men’s spot in DIII goes to Pomona-Pitzer, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

SR Andy Reischling (14:07 5K; 29:51 10K; 41st at ’16 NCAA XC)

SR Colin Mulligan (15:10 5K; 24th at ’17 NCAA XC)

SR Julian Degroot-Lutzner (15:15 5K; 94th at ’17 NCAA XC)

SR Carter Stripp (8:47 3K; 171st at ’17 NCAA XC)

SO Owen Woo (14:58 5K; 198th at ’17 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Paul McKinley via Okemos, MI (4:10 1600; 9:09 3200; 4th at '17 MI State XC)

Analysis:

The Sage Hens have never stepped atop the NCAA XC podium, but with a senior-heavy lineup returning in 2018, Pomona-Pitzer will have an excellent shot to make school history by nabbing a trophy this November. 

With two likely All-Americans leading the charge in Andy Reischling and Colin Mulligan, Pomona should have just as strong, if not stronger, of a top two as last year when Mulligan and departed senior James Kinney finished 24th and 31st at NCAAs, respectively. With expected improvements by the rest of the top five, the Sage Hens should finish better than their sixth place from a year ago.

The guy to watch will be Reischling. While he was only 81st at nationals in 2017, he absolutely exploded on the track this past spring, breaking the school record in both the 5k (14:07) and 10k (29:51) in less than a month. Reischling went on to place third and fourth in those events at NCAAs, a flashing sign that he will be a whole new athlete come November. His performance last fall was certainly a product of a really bad day (he was 41st in 2016), so expect him to be among the top pack this year.

Mulligan has improved dramatically each cross country season, and another big leap would put him among the very best in DIII. As a freshman, Mulligan was 181st at NCAAs, then 102nd as a sophomore. His 24th place last fall was the big breakout moment, but expect his trend to continue in 2018. Behind the top two, the Sage Hens will have three NCAA veterans in Julian Degroot-Lutzner, Carter Stripp, and Owen Woo. The sophomore Woo should be much better than his 198th showing from 2017, as he enjoyed a great freshman track season.

Pomona has a talented recruiting class coming in as well— including 4:10/9:09 Michigan prep Paul McKinley— so expect to see the Sage Hens on the podium for many years to come.

FULL RANKINGS HERE