1. Weini Kelati, New Mexico
Kelati is a freshman in title, though it's hard to look at her any other way but as an experienced veteran. She joined the Lobos' ranks in 2017 after graduating Leesburg (VA), where she had to sit out her entire senior season -- across XC and track -- due to age eligibility. But she came into the Lobos system with as much talent as anyone in the country, having won a Foot Locker Nationals title in 2015 and two New Balance nationals outdoor titles in 2016.
Almost immediately, Kelati carved out a role for New Mexico, scoring a victory in her very first collegiate race -- running unattached -- at the Lobo Invitational in a course record at 5K, then was the fourth women through for the Lobos at the Wisconsin Nuttycombe Invitational and second at the Mountain West Conference Championships.
Just recently, Kelati was the Lobos' No. 2 again at the NCAA Division I Mountain Regional, crossing the line in 20:05.50 at 6K.
The Lobos, ranked No. 1 in the FloXC rankings, are looking to grab their second national title in three seasons after finishing seventh last year.