TSR's "If Everything Was Normal" D2 Top 25 XC Rankings: #20-16 (Men)

As mentioned in our rankings rubric article, we are aware that certain conferences and universities will not be competing this fall due to ongoing concerns surrounding COVID-19. However, for the sake of content, we have constructed these rankings as if a regular cross country season will happen.

20. Jake Mitchem, Redshirt Senior, Colorado Mines

19. Luc Hagen, Redshirt Senior, Colorado Mines

The defending national champions are bringing back four of their top five runners from last year's national meet. Two of those returners, Luc Hagen and Jake Mitchem, are key pieces that offer incredible scoring potency in the middle portion of the Orediggers' lineup.

Hagen, all in all, had a great 2019 season. He showed out at the RMAC Championships by recording a 6th place finish, but had some races such as the Chile Pepper Festival (28th) and South Central Regional Championships (12th) where we were looking for a little more.

Even so, Hagen ultimately turned things around in Sacramento as he produced an outstanding 15th place finish at the NCAA Championships to help the Orediggers secure the national title.

As for Mitchem, he also had a bit of underwhelming outing at the Chile Pepper Festival (45th), but had a respectable result at RMAC's (finishing 9th overall). However, just like many of his teammates from last year, Mitchem peaked just in time for the National Championships and placed 20th overall.

These two returners were on track to have another year where they were top-20 All-Americans. Following an excellent indoor track season, everyone’s eyes would have been on the men from Colorado Mines to see if they would repeat as national champions.

18. Braden Reichl, Senior, Michigan Tech

Last fall, the Michigan Tech veteran led his team to a pair of upset victories over Saginaw Valley at the GLIAC Championships (where he finished 4th) and Southern Indiana at the Midwest Region Championships (where he finished 6th), catapulting them into the national meet.

Hoewever, his regular season results were argubaly just as good. At the Michigan State Spartan Invitational, Reichl finished 6th overall before going to Roy Griak where he placed 5th (in the maroon race).

Fast forward to the national meet and Reichl, wound up delivering another outstanding performance, finishing 23rd overall, giving him his second career All-American honor.

The sky is the limit (whenever they compete next), not only for this Michigan Tech team, but also for their star runner who owns PR’s of 14:27 (5k) and 9:00 (steeple).

17. Colin DeYoung, Junior, Grand Valley State

Grand Valley State has added one of NAIA’s most outstanding talents in Colin DeYoung -- someone who could have been the difference between silver and gold in the now cancelled national title race.

While at Cornerstone, DeYoung made a huge name for himself, winning the 2018 NAIA cross country national title. He has also run a handful of impressive times such as 14:13 (5k), 24:13 (8k) and 30:41 (10k).

We know the talent is there, but It will be interesting to see how he adjusts from the NAIA to the NCAA, specifically the highest level of Division II. DeYoung could be the missing link that GVSU needs to make the jump into the national title conversation.

16. CarLee Stimpfel, Junior, Saginaw Valley State

Saginaw Valley’s own has been one of the most consistent runners in the country over the past two years...as only an underclassmen.

Only a sophomore last year, Stimpfel never placed outside of the top five in any race that wasn't the National Championships. He proved his legitimacy at the Lewis Crossover where he faced huge talent and finished an impressive 5th place overall. That, however, was just one of his many impressive performances.

Stimpfel was 5th at the Michigan State Spartan Invitational at the beginning of last season and earned back-to-back runner-up finishes at his conference and regional meets. After finishing as an All-American in 2018 (26th), the Saginaw Valley State ace came back and recorded a 22nd place finish to wrap up his 2019 season.

Not only was Stimpfel consistent throughout last season, but he was always producing at a high level. We won't get to see him race this fall, but we were expecting big things from a guy who was finally going to be an upperclassmen with extensive championship experience.