State has a lot of reason to be very confident going into next year. They should be in the preseason top 3, if not #1. There's a lot of talent on the team, but as always, we need a couple of them to step up. Chmiel and Tuohy are already studs and should continue to be top-10 threats. Bush was a surprise this year, and so far in the indoor season she's still improving (she was nowhere near the caliber of Tuohy or Chmiel in HS). There are definitely some superstar recruits over the last couple of years who haven't broken through yet, so we'll need a couple to step up to replace Steelman and Hays, as well as cover for any injuries. Steelman and Hays were both transfers in the last couple of years, so we could potentially see another stud transfer in.
From the 2021 XC Championships:
Place Team Score - Runners in order
1 NC State 84 - SO, FR, SR, SR, SO, JR, SR - Lose 3,4,7
2 BYU 122 - SR, SR, JR, SR, SR, SO, SO - Lose 1,2,4,5
3 New Mexico 130 - FR, SO, SR, SR, JR, FR, FR - Lose 3,4
4 Colorado 187 - SR, FR, SR, SR, SR, FR, SR - Lose 1,2,3,4,7
5 Notre Dame 215 - SO, SO, SR, FR, JR, SR, JR - Lose 3,6
6 Stanford 233 - SR, FR, SR, FR, FR, FR, FR - Lose 1,3
7 Minnesota 313 - SR, SR, SR, JR, JR, JR, SR - Lose 1,2,3,7
8 Arkansas 328 - JR, SO, SR, SO, JR, JR, SR - Lose 3,7
9 Iowa State 332 - SR, SR, JR, SO, SO, SO, FR - Lose 1,2
10 Ole Miss 350 - SO, SO, SR, SR, JR, FR, SO - Lose 3,4
11 Washington 366 - SR, JR, SR, SO, FR, JR, FR - Lose 1,3
12 Wisconsin 376 - SR, SO, SO, JR, SR, SO, SR - Lose 1,5,7
13 Oklahoma St 404 - JR, JR, SR, SR, SR, SO, SO - Lose 3,4,5
14 North Carolina 405 - FR, FR, FR, FR, FR, FR, SR - Lose 7
15 Alabama 428 - JR, SO, SR, SO, JR, JR, JR - Lose 3
BYU loses a ton, but they've been an incredible program for years. They might reload, but I'd expect them to drop off a bit next year. Same with Colorado.
New Mexico should be strong next year, as will Notre Dame and Stanford. Arkansas and Ole Miss should still be good. UNC might not do it next year, but in two years they could be a top 5 contender.
