1. Michigan State - The Great Lakes Regional, the toughest of all of the regionals was no competition for the mighty Spartans.  They scored 28 to #7 Wisconsin's 82.  O'Connor has won the last two races and now looks like an NCAA individual contender. Big 10 was easier than expected with Finn from Michigan out.  The Spartans dominated Wisconsin Adidas and regional powers including Iowa State at Roy Griak after taking 5 of the first 22 spots.  The deepest and most experienced team (8 NCAA returners) in the women's competition. Preview -  Michigan State.  They will attempt to win Great Lakes Region Title

2. Oregon - Won Pac-10 as Neer ran her first race and Frida Berge established herself as a potential #1. Finished 2nd at Pre-Nationals and won Washington meet against Stanford team. There is still a rumor that Baxter will run this year especially with trophy and a possible national championship in their sites.  Oregon ran tough enough at Pre-Nationals to indicate they could finish second at NCAAs with Baxter and/or Neer. Preview - Oregon.  Oregon has admittedly come a long way since the beginning of the season. The Ducks will try to win the West Region.

3. Arkansas - Put 5 in the top 11 to dominate South Central Regional.  The runners admitted to their coach they floated through the race, 29 to 92 for  #23 Baylor.   The Razorbacks had a nice 1-2 finish at SEC.  All 5 were in the top 10. They have room for improvement behind Scott and Heymsfield.  Coach Harter will get them to peak for regionals and nationals.  This team could win it all. 

4. Georgetown - They sat back at Mid-Atlantic and finally caught West Virginia and Princeton over the last 2k.   Although they were a big favorite they scored an unexpected 19 points at Big East as Villanova did not challenge.  Took round 2 in battle against Michigan at Pre-Nationals with close victory.  They defended their title from last year.  Preview - Georgetown.  

5. Iowa State - Crystal Nelson created a surprise by winning Wisconsin Adidas.  Moen wasn't too far behind in 5th. They followed that with a 1-2 finish at Big 12 championships.  Then they ran easily at Midwest Regional and won 66-125 over Minnesota.  At Wisconsin Adidas they led their team to a 3rd place finish.  The Cyclones need improvement from their #4-#5 runners, a situation which has already cost them two chances at challenging MSU. They were 2nd at Griak to MSU.  Preview -  Iowa State. 

6. Wisconsin - Coach Byrne has been impressed with their improvement this year.  Disanza led the team to a runner-up finish at Big 10s.  They have 6 returners from team that finished 21st at '13 NCAAs. They are a young team and did well at their Adidas invitational to run fourth.  Preview - Wisconsin.   They would easily qualify with a third place or better finish at Great Lakes Region.

7. West Virginia - The Mountaineers finished 2nd at Mid-Atlantic and Big 12, to two top five teams.   They waited for Wisconsin Adidas to run hard and it payed off with a fifth place finish.  Sophomore Jillian Forsey helped push the pace and finished 11th as she has improved significantly this year (#2 Mountaineer at '13 NCAA championships).  

8. Colorado - Without their top two returners from the NCAA meet, coach Wetmore has rallied the team behind sophomore Erin Clark.  Now with transfer Sara Sutherland sliding into the Buffalo #3 spot the Buffs should finish in the top 10.  The team was third at the Pac-12 meet but would have finished second with Sutherland.  Clark finished 2nd at the Mountain Region and the Buffaloes beat New Mexico 43-56 as the two teams ran away from the competition.  Clark ran great at Rocky Mountain Shootout and now Pre-Nationals.  They were well behind the top 3 teams at Pre-Nationals but all three teams came into the meeting in the top 6 nationally.  They should repeat at Mountain Region.  

10. Stanford - A third place finish at the West Regional easily qualified them for the NCAA meet. Cranny had a nice runner-up finish behind current NCAA favorite Houlihan. Cranny ran well again at Wisconsin Adidas.  Group behind Cranny (4 freshman total) ran their best race at Washington XC Invitational, but not as well in Wisconsin (7th) or Pac-12 where they were also a runner-up.  They are favored for 2nd place or better finish at West Region.  

11. Boise State - They were 2nd at West Region and at Mt. West and #3-#5 falling further back from Bates and Howard.  17th at Wisconsin Adidas and fourth at Roy Griak.  Good 1-2 but need 4 and especially #5. #3-#7 are Sophomores or Freshmen.  Experience from racing will help at the end of the season.    

12. North Carolina - Lehardy finished fourth at ACC to lead the Tarheels to upset of the Seminoles.  She won the Southeast region as the rest of the team did not perform as well as ACC and the Tarheels finished third with 94.  Lehardy did not run as well at Wisconsin Adidas but team still finished 11th.  They had a good front pack at Wisconsin and Roy Griak and #4-#5 not set up yet, but that changed at ACC.  Preview -  North Carolina.

13. Florida State - Edged by Vanderbilt 52-53 at South Region.  North Carolina kept the Seminoles from earning a 7th straight ACC title.  Florida State is running tired.  This strategy has worked in the past. This team has the pieces to get a trophy. Outside of Quigley, who has run very well, waiting for the rest of the team to race to potential.  Preview -  Florida State. 

14. Vanderbilt - Edged Florida State 52-53 at South Regionals.  A solid second at SECs. 9th at Wisconsin Adidas with veterans. They are having success with pack running.

15. Washington - They finished fourth at West Regional and Pac-12 championships and not too far from Colorado.  They finished 13th at Wisconsin Adidas as #1 Meyers fell back to 37th after being up front early.  They finished 3rd at Washington Invitational. Still haven't run Nealle or Knight, top returners.  Four of their freshmen gained valuable experience at Wisconsin Adidas.  

16. Iona - Led by Avery again (19:47), they won the Northeast regional.  Easily the top performance of conference week was the return and domination by Kate Avery (19:15) at MAAC championships.  They easily won the conference title and they would have finished ninth if she had run at Wisconsin Adidas.  

17. Michigan - Michigan was fourth at Great Lakes just behind Toledo. They finished third at Big 10 with Erin Finn out of the race.  Lost round 2 in battle against Georgetown at Pre-Nationals.  Handily won Battle in Beantown against Georgetown.  Preview - Michigan.   

19. Virginia - They finished third at ACC. This is an NCAA veteran team (9th in 2013) looked solid early and dominated at Panorama Farms in spite of the fact four of last year's top 5 have not contributed.  They must overcome their performance at Washington Invite at Wisconsin Adidas (9th).  In spite of unmet expectations lately they have had enough success and ability to qualify automatically or as an at-large.   Preview - Virginia

20. Providence - Rocha was runner-up at Big East and team finished second.  Still no Collins and probably trained through Wisconsin Adidas.  Freshman Lembo is developing, but not a great performance by the team (24) at Wisconsin Adidas.  With Collins this could be a top-10 team.

21. Toledo - The Mud Hens were third ahead of Michigan at the Great Lakes Regional.  Two weeks before they won the MAC title.  At Wisconsin Adidas they finished 18th.  They were ninth at Notre Dame.  

23. Dartmouth - They did not finish too far back from Providence to finish third.  They won the Ivy League championships after disappointing 19th at Wisconsin Adidas. Giordano is running well as #1, 2-4 doing well too but need #5.  They need a good performance from their #5 to make it past the Regional meet.

- Oklahoma State - They finished a well-back fourth at Big 12. Developed depth since last year to go with Monika Juodeskaite.  Last year they had three freshmen in top 4.  2013 NCAA 1500 champion Pillusina was entered at the Bronco Invite but didn't run.  With her they could challenge for a trophy along with #3-#5 runner development.  

Boston College - They were fifth at the Northeast Region.  21st at Wisconsin Adidas.  Now have to rely on next two meets to make NCAA meet. Westphal won Battle in Boston but team finished fourth and 4-5 a concern.