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 DIII goes to Washington U., and here's why:

Probable Top Five:

SR Aly Wayne (16:51 5K; 8th at ’16 NCAA XC)

JR Paige Lawler (16:41 5K; 35:20 10K; 15th at ’17 NCAA XC)

JR Sophie Watterson (17:15 5K; 41st at ’17 NCAA XC)

SR Lisa Gorham (17:38 5K; 112th at ’17 NCAA XC)

SO Lara Rix (142nd at ’17 NCAA XC)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

N/A

Analysis:

The Washington University (St. Louis) women have finished on the NCAA podium in three of the last four seasons, with their lone miss being a fifth place showing in 2015. With that recent history near the top of DIII and two stud All-Americans returning this season, the Bears should find themselves with a trophy once again this cross country season.

Wash U’s strength will be their top two, senior Aly Wayne and junior Paige Lawler, two perpetual All-Americans with top-10 potential at NCAAs this fall. Wayne, a five-time All-American, sat out last cross country season, but after finishing in the top-five in both the 5k and 10k outdoors, she should pick up right where she left off in 2016. Lawler, meanwhile, exploded in 2017, finishing 15th in her NCAA XC debut and ultimately earning three more All-American honors on the track. These two will carry the Bears in 2018.

WUSL could have three All-Americans if junior Sophie Watterson runs up to her ability, and they’ll need her to do just that to have any hopes of challenging the defending champs. Watterson missed the top-40 by a place last fall, but after a solid season on the track she appears ready for more.

The Bears have a number of athletes who could fill out their No. 4 and 5 roles, among them senior Lisa Gorham, sophomore Lara Rix, and senior Ellie Degen. Degen is the most talented of the bunch— she was 79th at NCAAs in 2015 as a freshman— but she’s been dealing with injuries and didn’t run at the national meet last fall. The more likely scenario is Gorham and Rix rounding out the scoring, two runners with NCAA experience but not quite as high of a ceiling as Degen.

FULL RANKINGS HERE