D2 XC Top 20: Week 5

We had some shake ups in our rankings this past weekend after big performances from the Lewis Crossover. That field gave us some amazing performances, as well as some lackluster ones. We have three new athletes entering the rankings this weekend and eight athletes in total that competed.

Let’s get started.

Outside Looking In

Austin Pasch (Minnesota State)

Hosava Kretzmann (Fort Lewis)

Nathan Schroeder (Augustana (S.D.))

Joshua Chepkesir (UNC Pembroke)

Eddie King (Chico State)

Corbin Hansen (Nebraska-Kearney)

Christian Noble (Lee (Tenn.))

Quenten Lasseter (Tarleton State)

Rowan Doherty (Simon Fraser)

Pierre-Louis Detourbe (Simon Fraser)

Stetson Reyes (Dallas Baptist)

Falling Out

Ricardo Ocampo (Mines)

Logan Ramlet (Mines)

Dustin Nading (Western Oregon)

20. Tom Goforth | Previously: Unranked | Movement: N/A

Goforth seemingly redshirted the 2017 cross country season and he’s currently reaping the benefits. He clocked the fastest time of his career this weekend at the Lewis Crossover while finishing in 4th place. Goforth has some previous experience at Nationals in both cross country and on the track. He’s the low-stick for Saginaw Valley and should stay in that position throughout the rest of the season.

19. Austin Nolan | Previously: Unranked | Movement: N/A

The Southern Indiana athlete looks to be having his breakout season. With a victory at the Lewis Crossover, he certainly caught the eyes of many spectators, myself included. He ran 58 seconds faster this year than he did in 2017 at this same meet and is already ahead of schedule in terms of time. Nolan will be huge in helping Southern Indiana compete at their conference and regional meet. He should be a presence when Nationals roll around.

18. Steven Brown | Previously: 18 | Movement: Up 2

Sioux Falls was idle this weekend despite how badly I wanted them to be at Lewis. They’ll be back in action in two weeks at the Mount Marty Invite.

17. Derrick Williams | Previously: Unranked | Movement: N/A

This name should be familiar to most followers of the D2 scene. Williams is a highly decorated athlete who owns a solid resume in cross country. We were waiting for a big performance and we got that this weekend at Lewis where he finished 3rd. His 24:41 is the fastest he has run since 2015 and it gives us an idea of where he is currently at fitness-wise. He’ll be a legitimate threat come December 1st.

16. Gideon Kimutai | Previously: 18 | Movement: Up 2

Missouri Southern State was idle this weekend and will be in action next week at Fort Hays State. Kimutai moves up due to Ocampo and Ramlet leaving this week’s rankings.

15. Bashir Aidrus | Previously: 15 | Movement: None

SW Minnesota State will be back in action next week at Wisconsin La Crosse. Aidrus moves forward a spot due to Ocampo and Ramlet leaving this week’s rankings.

14. Ross Husch | Previously: 14 | Movement: None

Husch didn’t have a terrible day at Lewis this weekend, but it certainly wasn’t what we thought it was going to be. He finished 16th on the day and was the Mountaineers number four man. His 25:11 is far ahead of where he was last year at this time so the future looks good for Husch. He stays at 14 this week as he didn’t do enough to move forward and didn’t completely bomb to move backwards.

13. Kale Adams | Previously: 13 | Movement: None

Adams State was idle and will be back in action this weekend at Fort Hays State.

12. Grant Colligan | Previously: 10 | Movement: Down 2

Yeah yeah, you’ve read this for the past five weeks, but Colorado Mines was idle. They open up next weekend at Fort Hays State and we should see why Colligan is still sitting here at 12th.

11. Andrew Curry | Previously: 12 | Movement: Up 1

Dallas Baptist chose to preview their South Central regional course instead of heading to Lewis like other D2 teams. Curry didn’t have the greatest day as he finished 9th and was the second scorer for the Patriots. He moves up this week because Colligan was idle once again. He ran a minute faster than he did two years ago when they ran this course as a tune-up for the 2016 regional meet. I think this is a blip on the radar for Curry. He’ll be back on top of his game soon.

10. Jacob Klemz | Previously: 11 | Movement: Up 1

Klemz was the name I was looking most forward to seeing this weekend at Lewis. I even thought he was going take home the individual title after multiple dominant performances earlier in the season. There really isn’t much to complain about as Klemz finished 8th and dipped under 25:00 for the race. It’s no surprise that increased competition pushed Klemz back a few finishing spots. He moves up due to Colligan being idle this week.

9. Joshua Joseph | Previously: 8 | Movement: Down 1

Adams State was idle and will be back in action this weekend at Fort Hays State.

8. Taylor Stack | Previously: 9 | Movement: Up 1

Stack had a great performance this weekend as he finished in 5th place and led the Mountaineers to a team title as well. His 25:46 is 30 seconds faster than his personal best at the cross country level. His continuous improvement will be incredibly valuable as Western Colorado (AKA Western State) prepares for the competition they’ll face in the RMAC and South Central region. When Nationals rolls around, Stack will be a credible threat to watch for.

7. Mason Phillips | Previously: 6 | Movement: Down 1

Sioux Falls was idle this weekend despite how badly I wanted them to be at Lewis. They’ll be back in action in two weeks at the Mount Marty Invite.

6. Marcelo Laguera | Previously: 7 | Movement: Up 1

Laguera had the best race of the weekend outside of Southern Indiana’s Austin Nolan…and that’s only because Laguera finished 2nd to Nolan at the Lewis Crossover. Laguera ran 22 seconds better than his personal best from 2016. He has been a dominant force since the start of the year and doesn’t look to be stopping any time soon. As we near closer to conference and regionals, he’s a name that could shake things up and help CSU-Pueblo compete with the likes of Western and Adams.

5. Elias Gedyon | Previously: 5 | Movement: None

Adams State was idle and will be back in action this weekend at Fort Hays State.

4. Leakey Kipkosgei | Previously: 4 | Movement: None

American International was idle this weekend, but will be back in action in two weeks at the CCSU Mini Meet.

3. Enael Woldemichael | Previously: 3 | Movement: None

Grand Valley State was idle this weekend, but will head to Kansas this weekend to compete at the Jayhawk Invitational.

2. Sydney Gidabuday | Previously: 2 | Movement: None

Adams State was idle and will be back in action this weekend at Fort Hays State.

1. Zach Panning | Previously: 1 | Movement: None

Grand Valley State was idle this weekend, but will head to Kansas this weekend to compete at the Jayhawk Invitational.

***

This list is slowly getting stronger as each week passes. As an athlete that was previously in here leaves, another one is stepping in to prove themselves. It’s never a foregone conclusion that a specific individual is going to take home the title. Each athlete achieves their fitness in a different way and some hold their top fitness longer than others. Those who are able to maintain all facets of their racing ability will eventually hoist the coveted trophy on the 1st of December.