TSR's "If Everything Was Normal" D2 Top 25 XC Rankings: #15-11 (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.

15. Isaac Harding, Rs. Senior, Grand Valley State

Harding was a huge get for the Lakers as they secured a runner who was nearly an All-American at the Division One level and was the number three runner for Michigan at the D1 National Championships last year. He also brings with him personal bests of 8:10 (3k) and 14:07 (5k).

The graduate transfer will immediately add valuable scoring potency to this Grand Valley State lineup and could emerge as the top scoring option if he returns to use his eligibility in 2021. Had the the National Championships not been cancelled, Harding could have been the name who swings the national team title race in favor of the GVSU men.

Personally, I could have seen Harding making a huge jump up in our rankings this fall if he were to compete. It's difficult to gauge the transition from D1 to D2, especially among the top ranks, but Harding likely would have fared well in the new environment.

14. Titus Winders, Junior, Southern Indiana

Mr. Versatile (especially when it comes to track) had a monster indoor track this past winter after having a breakout 2019 cross country season where he finished 13th at the National Championships. He also lowered his indoor personal bests to 4:07 (mile), 8:08 (3k) and 14:06 (5k), making him one of the most well-rounded distance runners in Division II.

Winders will have additional motivation whenever he next compete as his brother Silas -- a two-time Foot Locker national qualifier -- is set to join him in Evansville. Additionally, the Southern Indiana star will look to defend the GLVC and Midwest titles that he won last fall.

There are a handful of new names on this Southern Indiana squad, but Winders will be the steady leader who has championship experience, great versatility, underrated consistency and untapped potential.

13. Tanner Chada, Junior, Grand Valley State

People may have been surprised when Chada finished 24th at the National Championships last year. After all, his regular season performances indicated that he could be a top-10 finisher.

Last fall, Chada took the month of September to battle with D1 competition, winning the Ohio State Preview and finishing 3rd at the Michigan State Spartan Invitational.

When October rolled around, the Grand Valley State star took 2nd at the Lewis Crossover, a meet that featured the "who's who" of Division 2. He also won his first GLIAC title while leading the Lakers to their 18th straight conference victory. By the time November came, Chada was ready for the transition to the 10k, placing 3rd at the Midwest regional meet.

That brings us back to his 24th place finish at NCAA's where he earned All-American status.

Would we consider that as an "off day" for someone like Chada? Based on what we saw from him last year, the obvious answer is yes. That, however, shouldn't discount the massive improvements that Chada made last fall.

The rising junior will need to put it altogether on the national stage (whenever that may be), but he has all of the necessary tools to be a superstar talent (if he's not already).

12. Charlie Sweeney, Junior, Western Colorado

Finishing just outside of the top 10 at the 2019 national meet (11th), setting a new 10k personal best (on the grass) and earning his second consecutive All-American finish, the Mountaineer from Western Colorado is likely trying to take the next step up this fall despite not having a national meet.

Sweeney also had a slew of strong performances prior to the 2019 national meet. He recorded a very encouraging 12th place finish at Chile Pepper Festival before securing a pair of top-three finishes at RMAC and South Central Championships -- arguably the best D2 conference and regional meets in the nation.

It would have been interesting to see the Maryland native compete at the NCAA Championships this past winter as it seemed realistic that he could have challenged for the national title in the 3000 meters or 5000 meters.

There may not be a national meet this year, but if the RMAC does end up competing, then Sweeney will continue to be a major name to watch.

11. Ezekiel Kipchirchir, Senior, West Texas A&M

Winning both the Lone Star Conference title as well as the South Central regional title, Kipchirchir ran himself to a 12th pace finish at the 2019 National Championships to solidify his place as one of the best distance runners in the country. This was his first time being named a D2 All-American as he was a multi-time All-American when he was a NJCAA participant for Iowa Central CC.

It's hard to place Kipchirchir at "only" TSR #11 in our rankings after an relatively dominant postseason in 2019. However, this was an odd year where many of the best distance runners in the nation still had eligibility for the 2020 cross country season.

Even so, the West Texas A&M star will once again be a major scoring threat for the Buffaloes whenever they next compete. However, the big question moving forward will be if Kipchirchir can put himself in a position where he's competing for an individual national title...