9/7 Collegiate Men Cross Country Rankings

MileSplit Staff

Division I/NAIA Teams

1. College of William & Mary - The team with the greatest depth in the state as shown with this week\'s individual rankings in seven members of the Tribe ranked in the top 15. There could be more than eight in future weeks as the \"B\" squad of William & Mary could take it to most programs in the state. With an All-American in Christo Landry, an NCAA Outdoor Nationals 5K qualifier in Jeff Hedley, and a 29:47 10K runner in Keith Bechtol, this squad possesses some talented individuals who can lead the Tribe to some great things this fall barring injuries or illness.

2. University of Virginia - The distance group bounced back form a subpar cross country last fall with some strong performances during the track season especially from their sophomore-now junior class with Ryan Foster, Kevin McHale, and Andrew Dumm. The prized recruit of that class, Tatu, will be counted on to perform at a more consistent level in cross country than years past for the Cavaliers to be any threat to William & Mary. The Cavaliers also return Soeren Linder, who was the top finisher for the squad at the NCAA regional meet and qualified individually for NCAA Nationals. Coach Dunn also picked a 2004 Foot Finalist in Andy Biladeau from Florida.

3. Virginia Intermont College - The defending NAIA national champions took two heavy loses in the graduations of All-Americans Fernando Cabada and Corey Duquette but return five of their top seven from that squad including David Cheromei, who won the NAIA national title in the steeplechase this past spring. Coach Simmons also landed the top distance recruit in the state in 2004 Virginia Group AAA state cross country champion Michael Chapa. Chapa should instantly make an impact on the squad.

4. James Madison University - The Dukes are veteran heavy with juniors and fifth year seniors who will be counted on for the squad\'s success. Fifth year seniors Allen Carr and Evan Kays return. Kays was injured last fall, but Carr put together a strong NCAA regional finish to cap off his season. JMU junior C.W. Moran appears to be the team\'s front runner though after clocking a 14:15 on the track this past spring at the CAA Championship against Landry and Ed Moran of William & Mary. Fellow juniors Bryan Buckland and Teddy Stevenson and seniors Nick Noe and Josiah Cadle will play important roles for Coach Rinker\'s squad.