Monday Madness

A quick look at the late projections for today's NCAA Division I Cross Country Championship in Terre Haute, Ind.:

On the men's side, LetsRun.com (and nearly everyone else) is predicting the Badgers of Wisconsin to claim the team title. The LR preview says that Wisco has "the best five on paper" and that they've been "untouchable so far."

It adds that, "Their best strategy is probably to dance with the one that brought 'em - i.e., pack run as they have all year. But this time, they'll probably be forced to split up with 2k to 3k left in order to ensure the guys who are feeling the mojo on the day get the lowest scores possible."

Badger runner Maverick Darling reaffirms that strategy, offering, "Nothing has changed, we'll run as a group. It's a little more challenging because there are more people out there."

Individually, everyone is pointing to Arizona freshman Lawi Lalang. LetsRun posted that Lalang, who is now getting instruction from Bernard Lagat, is "reminiscent of Sam Chelanga at his most dominant. How can you bet against him?"

Lalang was a man of few words when talking to the Daily Wildcat, saying, "I think I am ready. I want to race against the best."

Those is the know are picking the Seminoles of Florida State in the women's race. Writes John Kellogg of LetsRun: "Much like Wisconsin on the men's side, the Seminoles have blown everybody out with pack running this season (although not as tight a pack as the Wisco men have used). This team is a clear favorite to win it all. If they're instructed to stay together for a good deal of the race, they might not have anyone come up for top 10, but Amanda Winslow is their best bet for a single-digit individual finish."

It looks like Villanova is best positioned to give the Seminoles a run for their money, thanks in no small part to defending champion Sheila Reid.

"I'd love to defend my title," Reid told Terry Toohey of the Delaware County Times. "I think it would be very special to do that and it's something I haven’t had an opportunity to do yet. I’ve never been in the position as the defending champion.”