Division I Cross Country Preseason All-Name Team

Even though Furman distance runner Tripp Hurt graduated, rest assured there are some other great names dispersed among national rosters. Here’s a look at six names of runners who competed at last year’s NCAA cross country meet and should return there again in 2015.

Futsum Zienasellassie, Northern Arizona – How can you pass up a name like this, with an athlete this talented? He’s been an All American for three consecutive years and should make it four in a row come November. Zienasellassie finished third at NCAAs last year behind the Oregon duo of Edward Cheserek (2014 champion) and Eric Jenkins.

Sergey Sushchikh, UCLA – When you put a last name in Google and it’s not even sure how to pronounce it; you know it has to go on this list. Sushchikh placed 54th last year and was the Bruins’ top finisher. UCLA likely returns all seven runners who competed at last year’s championship. Sushchikh’s teammate, Myles Smith, is an honorable mention selection.

Jordy Williamsz, Villanova – How exactly do you pronounce that last name? Is it like a super Williams or a hard ‘z’ sound at the end? Inquiring minds want to know. In any case, Williamsz, who finished 58th in 2014, should be one of five Wildcats returning from last year’s NCAA squad.

Tony Smoragiewicz, Michigan – That last name is just fun to pronounce and type. Smoragiewicz will be a senior this year for the Wolverines. Michigan is one of three teams from last year’s NCAA meet likely to return all seven of its runners who competed in Terre Haute, Indiana. The others: UCLA and Virginia.

Heleene Tambet, New Mexico – When in doubt, buy a vowel. Tambet is a junior this year and was the third runner for the Lady Lobos to cross the finish line last year at the NCAA meet. New Mexico placed third overall and will look to challenge defending champion Michigan State and runner-up Iowa State for the crown in 2015, thanks to several key additions in the offseason.

Emma Hyyppa, Boise State – Double-up on consonants when one won’t do. Hyyppa and the Broncos are looking to improve on their 11th-place finish at last year’s meet. Boise State should have the firepower this year as Hyyppa is likley one of three returning runners and the program added five-star recruit Allie Ostrander.

Now these are just the names that stood out among the rest from last year’s meet. Who, other than UCLA’s Myles Smith, deserves honorable mention? Did we miss anybody? Let us know.