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. 2 women’s spot in DII goes to Adams State, and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

JR Eilish Flanagan (10:00 3K SC; 9th at ’17 NCAA XC)

JR Roisin Flanagan (4:41 Mile; 21st at ’17 NCAA XC)

JR HaLeigh Hunter-Galvan (46th at ’17 NCAA XC)

JR Kaylee Bogina (17:21 5K; 35:09 10K; 51st at ’17 NCAA XC)

SR Sadie Baker (16:50 5K; 35:13 10K; 121st at ’17 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Stephanie Cotter via Cork, Ireland (4:22 1500)

Analysis:

With 17 NCAA Cross Country national titles, including another one in 2017, the Adams State women are the most decorated female cross country program in NCAA history. Only the North Central (Ill.) men in Division III own more titles with their 18, and yet, remarkably, the Grizzlies have accumulated all of their total in just the 26 years they have been an NCAA member. For over a quarter century now, the ASU ladies have won national titles in the fall at a 65-percent clip. You don’t need to be told that that is unheard of.

So what does this dynasty have in store for 2018? Likely, another swing for the top spot. With six of their top seven returning from last season, Coach Damon Martin’s group isn’t likely to slip much at all. The Flanagan twins, Eilish and Roisin, are each back after finishing ninth and 21st, respectively, last fall. Eilish was the top scorer at nationals for the Grizzlies, a remarkable turnaround after a lowly 137th showing as a freshman in 2016. Both sisters were All-Americans indoor and outdoor this spring, and should be among the top-10 in Pittsburgh this December.

Adams State did lose All-American Malena Grover to graduation, but her gap can be filled with improvements from juniors HaLeigh Hunter-Galvan and Kaylee Bogina. Those two were 46th and 51st last November as the team’s fourth and fifth scorers, which was plenty good enough given the three low-sticks ahead of them. It’s likely, however, that they’ll need to move up the pack to make up for Grover’s exit.

Like many teams, Adams State has a question mark at their projected fifth spot, which puts the defending champs in the No. 2 slot in our preseason rankings. Senior-to-be Desire Montenegro was just 109th at nationals last season, while fellow senior Sadie Baker was 121st. But with Adams’ history of getting the job done at NCAAs, expect them to be battling hard for the top spot come December.

FULL RANKINGS HERE