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TSR's 2026 NCAA Preseason D1 XC Top 50 Rankings: #30-21 (Women)
Written by Rachel Hickey, edits & additional commentary via Garrett Zatlin
30. Juliet Cherubet, Senior, Oregon
There are few runners in the country who feel as difficult to evaluate as Juliet Cherubet.
If you simply looked at the results of the 2025 NCAA XC Championships, you would likely come away believing that the Oregon star is little more than a solid All-American. A 37th place finish on that stage is respectable, but it doesn't necessarily scream, "future top-10 contender."
Yet, evaluating Cherubet through that lens alone ignores what we've already seen her accomplish in recent years. Her 11th place finish at the 2024 NCAA XC Championships wasn't a fluke, nor was it the result of a perfectly-timed peak. Instead, it offered a glimpse into the caliber of runner that she can be when everything clicks.
Granted, last fall wasn't devoid of encouraging performances.
Cherubet opened her 2025 fall campaign with a top-five finish at the Gans Creek Classic before later earning a runner-up finish at the BIG 10 XC Championships. Those two results reflected an elite level of firepower that made her a massive threat once she reached Columbia, Missouri.
Well, at least in theory.
Another All-American finish was hardly a disappointing result. For most athletes, finishing among the nation's top-40 would represent the pinnacle of a collegiate career.
For Cherubet, however, it almost felt like the expectation had shifted. Once she had shown that she could flirt with the top-10 women on the national stage, merely earning All-American honors somehow felt a bit unsatisfying.
Fortunately, Cherubet backed up her cross country season with another excellent year on the track. She earned All-American honors over 5000 meters during the winter months before adding another All-American finish over 1500 meters on the outdoor oval, reinforcing the idea that her ceiling remains exceptionally high.
Perhaps that's why it feels unwise to assume that last November represents Cherubet's new normal. Instead, it may simply prove to be the outlier sandwiched between two stronger seasons.
At her best, Cherubet has already demonstrated that she can contend for a place near the front of the NCAA field. Asking her to rediscover that level isn't an unreasonable projection -- it's one that she's already proven capable of reaching.
29. Diana Cherotich, Sophomore, Oregon
Raw talent has never been in doubt when it comes to Diana Cherotich.
As a true freshman, the Oregon standout immediately established herself as one of the NCAA's premier talents, winning the BIG 10 individual cross country title while collecting victories at the Bill Dellinger Invitational and the West Regional XC Championships along the way.
At times, Cherotich looked almost untouchable, using her raw strength to dismantle fields that simply stood no shot at coming all that close to her.
Even so, there were moments when that dominance didn't quite translate to the biggest stages. And frankly, she didn't always face the toughest competition prior to championship season.
A 31st place finish at the 2025 NCAA XC Championships is hardly a disappointment (especially for a freshman), but it also left many wondering whether Cherotich had another gear that never fully surfaced in Columbia, Missouri. Given the expectations that she had created throughout the regular season, it was difficult not to walk away believing that she had more left in the tank.
What’s more, her track season largely followed a similar script. The Oregon sophomore flashed the same brilliance that has made her one of the NCAA's most intriguing young talents. However, some near misses of All-American status at both the indoor and outdoor national meets left the impression that Cherotich still needs greater tactical refinement and better control of her fitness.
That makes Cherotich one of the more fascinating projections in these rankings. If she can pair her immense talent with greater consistency in championship racing, then a top-15 finish at the national meet (and perhaps something even better) feels entirely realistic.
28. Bethany Michalak, Junior, NC State
Every championship team needs a runner like Bethany Michalak.
For as much attention as NC State's star power has garnered over the last few years, this rising Wolfpack junior has quietly emerged as one of the squad’s most reliable contributors. On a roster filled with All-Americans and recognizable stars, it can be easy for athletes like Michalak to get lost in the shuffle.
Yet, the Wolfpack talent has continued to make steady progress while establishing herself as an invaluable piece for one of the nation's premier distance programs.
That consistency was on full display last fall. Michalak delivered strong performances throughout the regular season before once again proving her value during the postseason, helping the Wolfpack secure another NCAA team title.
She may not have commanded the headlines that some of her teammates did, but placing 2nd at the Loyola Lakefront Invite, 9th at the Nuttycombe Invite, 8th at the ACC XC Championships and 29th at the NCAA XC Championships were results that were flat-out brilliant.
That level of consistency at such an absurdly high level of fitness is incredibly difficult to pull off -- but Michalak was metronomic throughout last fall and proved to be extremely valuable because of that.
Perhaps that's why it feels reasonable to believe that Michalak's best cross country performances are still ahead of her -- and that would be incredible if true. She has improved in each of her first two collegiate seasons, and another step forward would only strengthen an already-loaded NC State lineup.
Whether or not that results in a dramatically higher national meet finish remains to be seen. Even so, don't be surprised if Michalak once again proves to be one of the more valuable runners on one of the country's most elite programs.
27. Nancy Cherop, Freshman, Clemson
Nancy Cherop represents the ultimate preseason gamble: elite talent and enormous upside, but no collegiate cross country resume to evaluate.
This Clemson freshman has entered the NCAA with significant international pedigree -- and she showed flashes of her potential on the track this spring. However, the biggest question is how quickly she can adapt to the grass as well as the NCAA's championship environment.
Even with a limited sample size of track performances this past spring and winter, Cherop showed flashes of the talent that made her one of the more coveted newcomers in the country. On the indoor oval earlier this year, she ran times of 8:51 (3k) and 15:21 (5k), while also qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the latter event.
Oh, and did we mention that she has run 14:52 for 5000 meters on the roads along with times of 4:06 (1500) and 8:46 (3k) on the outdoor oval? All before she even came to Clemson?
Of course, translating that talent to the grass is rarely a seamless process. The jump to championship racing in the United States can be challenging for even the most accomplished international recruits, particularly when adapting to longer races, deeper fields and the week-to-week demands of a collegiate season. While Cherop's raw ability has never been in question, how quickly she adjusts to those new challenges remains a far more difficult projection.
Even so, there are plenty of reasons for optimism. Clemson has quietly developed into one of the ACC's more intriguing distance programs, and Cherop projects as an immediate front-runner for the Tigers. Her early track performances only reinforced the belief that she possesses the aerobic strength and racing instincts to make an impact sooner rather than later.
That combination of uncertainty and upside makes Cherop one of the toughest athletes to rank in this preseason edition. If the adjustment to collegiate cross country comes quickly, then she'll almost certainly outperform this ranking and could emerge as one of the nation's top freshmen.
If not, then a year of steady development would hardly be unexpected.
Either way, the long-term outlook for this Tiger star remains exceptionally bright.
26. Sophia Kennedy, Senior, Stanford
Sophia Kennedy has already proven that she belongs among the NCAA's most talented long distance runners. That, however, isn't why we have put her back at TSR #26 in our preseason rankings.
A 3rd place finish over 5000 meters at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships, as well as a long list of championship-level performances, have cemented her status as one of the more accomplished distance runners in the country. Yet, entering her final year at Stanford, the biggest question is not whether Kennedy has the talent to compete at the highest level -- it's whether she can rediscover the consistency that has defined the best moments of her career.
Last year, something appeared slightly "off" with Kennedy. Make no mistake, she remained a high-level runner and still produced plenty of strong performances. The Stanford star took 7th place finishes at the Nuttycombe Invite and the ACC XC Championships, but wasn't quite as exciting at the NCAA XC Championships where she took 34th place.
That same theme carried over to the track season, where she was unable to quite replicate the dominant form that had made her such a difficult matchup in previous years. Sure, a 15:07 (5k) PR at the Husky Classic was simply phenomenal, but that elite fitness wasn't showcased at the NCAA Indoor Championships where she took 13th place overall.
And on the outdoor oval, Kennedy simply shut down her season in early May after producing a very unexciting 5k result at the Payton Jordan Invite.
Of course, a "down year" by Kennedy's standards is still a season that most athletes would gladly take. Her resume speaks for itself, and few runners in the NCAA possess her combination of championship experience and proven ability to deliver when it matters most.
The question entering this fall is whether last year was simply a temporary dip or a sign of further shakiness to come.
25. Angelina Perez, Rs. Senior, Wake Forest
Angelina Perez's collegiate career has been anything but predictable.
A former national champion at the prep level, a consistent presence near the front of NCAA fields, and one of the more talented distance runners in the country when healthy, Perez has built a resume that speaks for itself.
Yet, entering her final year of eligibility, there is still a sense that we haven't quite seen the complete version of what she can be.
Perez's collegiate journey has taken plenty of unexpected turns. Between transfers, setbacks and the challenges that come with maintaining peak form over multiple seasons, her path has been anything but straightforward. Even so, whenever she has been able to put together a healthy stretch of racing, she has reminded everyone why she was once considered one of the most dangerous runners in the country.
That has been especially evident during her time at Wake Forest, where Perez continued to prove that she belonged among the NCAA's best.
Last fall, the Demon Deacon star had a major breakthrough, taking a tremendous 4th place finish at the loaded Gans Creek Classic before earning runner-up honors a top-heavy field at the Arturo Barrios Invite. Those results revealed that Perez was operating at a completely new level, and unexpectedly so. The Demon Deacon star would cap her fall campaign with a 9th place finish at the ACC XC Championships and a 32nd place All-American result at the cross country national meet.
And on the track, Perez was close to being just as good. The Wake Forest talent ran excellent times of 15:32 (5k) and 32:44 (10k). She would eventually qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the latter event, although she faltered to last place in that field.
Regardless, Perez has consistently demonstrated that she has the strength, pedigree, consistency, three-season success and natural talent needed to succeed in championship settings. That makes Perez one of the most intriguing veterans in this year's hierarchy of cross country runners.
24. Amy Bunnage, Senior, Stanford
Everything that you read about Arkansas' Paityn Noe in our last rankings article can largely be applied to Amy Bunnage. Allow us to explain.
At her best, this Stanford runner is a legitimate superstar. No, not just a "star," we mean a top-shelf ace of the highest quality. Remember, this is the same woman who clocked an outstanding 15:00 PR for 5000 meters in the December of 2024 before running 8:43 over 3000 meters that same season. And before that, Bunnage made a massive statement by placing 4th at the 2024 NCAA XC Championships!
With tons of raw talent and elite pedigree from her prep days in Australia, the final form of Amy Bunnage is downright frightening for anyone who has to toe the line against her.
The challenge, however, is that Bunnage has consistently struggled to stay healthy and remain available. In fact, the Cardinal distance ace did not compete at all during the 2026 indoor track or outdoor track seasons. And after injury hampered her performances at the 2025 NCAA Indoor Championships, we didn't see her compete that following spring.
And maybe most importantly, Bunnage has only toed the line for four cross country races over the last two years. Stanford has very clearly held her out of competition each fall until she reaches the West Regional XC Championships and the NCAA XC Championships.
Now, admittedly, that approach has largely worked, although to varying degrees. A 30th place finish at the NCAA XC Championships last fall wasn't nearly as exciting as what we saw from the Stanford low-stick the year before when she placed 4th.
With so few results to analyze, and lingering concerns about her health and availability, we felt like a TSR #24 ranking was an appropriate compromise for Bunnage. Sure, she could blow this preseason estimate out of the water, but we're not even confident that we'll see her race before the month of November.
23. Mercy Kibet, Sophomore, Iowa State
Mercy Kibet's freshman cross country season was a reminder of just how much low-stick scoring potential Iowa State may have on their hands.
Thrust into (what turned out to be) one of the most top-heavy distance programs in the country, Kibet quickly showed flashes of being far more than just another talented newcomer last fall. In doing so, she established herself as an important piece of an Iowa State squad that continues to compete among the nation's elite.
Even so, Kibet's freshman season was a reminder that development is rarely linear. There were moments throughout the fall where her inexperience showed, but the encouraging trend was undeniable: she continued to improve as the stakes increased.
A 29th place finish at the Nuttycombe Invite, for instance, was a strong performance that deserved a nod of respect. However, a 7th place effort at the BIG 12 XC Championships was a potent low-stick result that somewhat clearly surpassed her earlier effort. By the time the NCAA XC Championships arrived, Kibet delivered one of her strongest performances of the season by placing 20th overall, offering a glimpse of the runner she could become with another year of consistency.
The track season only added to the intrigue. While Kibet remained a valuable part of Iowa State's roster, she did not necessarily separate herself from the rest of the Cyclones' talented distance group in the same way that some of her fellow freshman teammates did. That leaves some uncertainty about just how quickly she can develop into a true front-line scorer -- or, more specifically, how consistent she'll be later this fall.
Even so, the foundation is clearly there. Kibet has already shown us that she can produce at a high level, and another year of experience racing at the collegiate level should only help her become more consistent at her peak. If she can bring out her best performances more often, then she has the talent to make a significant jump up our rankings.
22. Amaya Aramini, Rs. Sophomore, Notre Dame
The best version of Notre Dame’s Amaya Aramini has always been easy to envision. The challenge has been getting there consistently.
A former Foot Locker finalist and one of the most highly regarded young American distance talents in her class, Aramini has long possessed the tools to compete at the highest levels of NCAA racing. The challenge has simply been getting a full season of consistent racing after injuries interrupted the early part of her collegiate career.
That made last fall an important step forward. Returning to the cross country course, Aramini immediately reminded everyone why she was such a highly-touted recruit, putting together a strong season for Notre Dame and establishing herself as one of the ACC's most talented young runners.
And more importantly, she showed us that the fitness and competitiveness that made her successful as a prep athlete were very much still intact. Even so, there were moments which showed us that there is another level waiting to be unlocked.
An 8th place finish at the Nuttycombe Invite was a massive breakout performance for the Fighting Irish star. That was the first time that Aramini showcased a highly potent level of scoring -- and at one of the single-most competitive meets of the entire season, too!
However, a 16th place finish at the 2025 ACC XC Championships was a reminder that upper-tier talent does not always translate perfectly from one race to the next. Thankfully for Aramini, a 25th place finish at the NCAA XC Championships was a beautiful rebound for the South Bend-based distance star.
For Aramini, the next step in her development as an athlete is not proving that she belongs among the nation's best, but rather, finding the consistency needed to perform at that level throughout an entire fall campaign.
And given the success that she had on the outdoor oval, that feels plenty realistic.
21. Salma Elbadra, Rs. Sophomore, South Carolina
This South Carolina sophomore has already established herself as one of the country's premier milers, possessing the kind of finishing ability that makes her dangerous in any championship race.
The question entering this season is not whether Salma Elbadra has the tools to compete with the nation's best, but rather, whether she can continue refining the tactical side of her cross country racing.
Elbadra showed plenty of promise during her freshman campaign, quickly proving that her track credentials could translate to the grass. She consistently competed near the front of collegiate fields and showed that her strength extended beyond the shorter distances where she has made her name.
A 3rd place finish at Notre Dame's Joe Piane Invite was a sneaky-good result, as was a victory at Alabama's Crimson Classic over the Crimson Tide duo of Cynthia Jemutai and Caren Kiplagat. Of course, a 5th place finish at the SEC XC Championships showcased a level of firepower and explosive scoring potential that caught our attention.
However, cross country often rewards patience and positioning as much as fitness. Learning how to navigate those championship races will be the next step in her development.
That was especially evident at last year's NCAA XC Championships. There, Elbadra's aggressive early pace ultimately came back to hurt her as she faded back to (a still very strong) 28th place All-American finish. It was a valuable learning experience for a first-year cross country runner, and one that could pay dividends as she gains more experience racing at the highest levels.
The next chapter of Elbadra's career will be about refinement, not reinvention. She doesn't need to find another gear, physically. The challenge is learning how to put herself in position to use the gear that she already has when the biggest races arrive.
