Published: September 17, 2006 12:19 am         

Wisconsin men, Stanford women atop preseason cross country polls

TERRE HAUTE — The 2006 NCAA cross country season is only in its infancy, but coaches around the nation already have a clear idea of which teams are set to contend for the NCAA Championships in Terre Haute.

In other words, there weren’t any shocking outcomes in the preseason polls, with defending men’s champion Wisconsin takings its spot atop the rankings. Defending women’s champion Stanford was also chosen to repeat its team title.

Coach Jerry Schumacher’s Badgers received all 15 first-place votes. Wisconsin lost two-time defending champion Simon Bairu, but the Badgers return four runners who placed in the top 18 at LaVern Gibson Championship Course last November. Chris Solinsky — coming off national champion track seasons in the 3,000 meters (NCAA indoor) and 5,000 meters (NCAA outdoor) — was third, Matt Withrow ninth, Stuart Eagon 17th and Tim Nelson 18th.

Schumacher said Thursday he wasn’t even aware of the poll results, which were released Tuesday.

“I didn’t even know it was out,” Schumacher said. “Usually, I’ll hear the guys talk about it. No one has even mentioned it yet at practice.”

Perhaps the runners all anticipated expectations to be so high with so much depth returning from such a dominant victory in Terre Haute last fall.

No. 2-ranked Arkansas coach John McDonnell said he was surprised by his team’s high ranking, but he also said it’s Wisconsin’s championship to lose.

“Wisconsin is a very good team,” said McDonnell, who witnessed first hand Wisconsin’s supremacy when the Badgers beat his Razorbacks in the nationals by a staggering 68 points last year. “I don’t see anyone beating them. After them, I think it’s up for grabs, for second, third, fourth and fifth.”

Wisconsin was picked to win the national title in the preseason poll in 2005 as well, but on the women’s side defending champion Stanford was picked fourth last year.

Having also won a national title in 2004, the Cardinal have four runners with two national championships.

Stanford coach Peter Tegen has just one with Stanford, having taken over both the women’s and men’s programs just last season. The Cardinal men came in at fourth in the 2006 poll, behind Colorado. Texas, Iona, Portland, Arizona, Oklahoma State and Kansas round out the men’s top 10.

One newcomer to the men’s poll is Oregon at 15th. Under first-year head coach Vin Lananna, a resurgence is expected quickly in Eugene, Ore., which bills itself as “Tracktown, USA.”

Lananna is a four-time NCAA Cross Country Coach of the Year — once with Dartmouth and three times with Stanford — so a rise from not qualifying for nationals in 2005 to 15th may not be too much to ask.

“They’re young, but they could be another one that contends,” Arkansas’ McDonnell said of the Ducks. “Vin will do a good job with those kids.”

McDonnell is an 11-time NCAA champion cross country coach himself. The Razorbacks have senior Peter Kosgei, a Kenya native, as their top returnee. Kosgei finished 12th last year in Terre Haute. Fellow All-American Kenny Cormier took 28th at the NCAAs.

Behind Stanford in the women’s poll is last year’s runner-up Colorado, then Michigan, Oklahoma State, Brigham Young and Illinois make up the top six. The Fighting Illini are led by former North Putnam standout Cassie Hunt —also a two-time winner of the Fast-Track mile in Terre Haute.

Duke, Arkansas, Arizona State and Wisconsin round out the top10.

The Colorado Buffaloes will be without last year’s No. 6 finisher Christine Bolf, but return a talented young group under Coach Mark Wetmore. In addition to junior Liza Pasciuto, who was eighth as a sophomore at nationals last year, the Buffaloes return Jenny Barringer for her sophomore season. Barringer won the 2006 NCAA title this spring in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Third-ranked Michigan returns two fifth-year seniors, Katie Erdman and Jessie Stewart, from last year’s sixth-place team.

As a warmup to the national championships on Nov. 20, many of the nation’s top teams will be pouring into Terre Haute for the Pre-Nationals on Oct. 14.