It seems like a while since CU has dominated the conference...they one every year with Wetmore until 2008...OkState won that year and last year.  Before they saddle up and head west to the PAC-10, where conference titles will not be any easier to come by, the Buffs have a shot to dethrone OkState.  That said, for almost everybody on the roster every year at CU the NCAA X-C meet is the most important day of the year.  The men were 6th last year, but well back of 5th place William and Mary.  In reality it was not a good day for them as graduated Jordan Kyle was 7th man (he's placed top 20) and Matt Tebo was also buried.

What this means for this year is that the 5 guys who scored at NCAA's are all back:  Christian Thompson (44th), Richard Medina (57th), Andrew Wacker (70th), Joe Bosshard (80th) and Aric Van Halen (130th).  Matt Tebo (162nd) is also back and due for the type of NCAA race he is capable of.  Eventually, talented guys at CU get it done when it matters.  He and Medina are both capable of being top 25 guys.  One has to wonder what Joe Bosshard is capable of after his breakout track season at 10000m.  The answer is likely better than 80th place. 

This guy was the hero who elevated the Buffs to their last national title.  It would appear that the likes of Stanfurd and Oregon are a bit out of reach this year for another CU "miracle" type of win, but other contenders like OkState and NAU are within reach.  If everything goes right and you want to do the "what if" thing...Medina has run 13:48, Tebo 13:50, those SHOULD be your top two and could be big guns along the lines of top 10-15 guys they have had in the past.  Yes, the NCAA meet has changed over the years, but yes the Buffs can still run a bit.  Thompson and Wacker have beene 44th and 70th, if they don't get worse, this is solid stuff.  Wacker ran 14:01 and 29:31.  Who knows what Bosshard is becoming off of his 6th place 28:59 PR at NCAA's. 

The trouble is, I suppose, that those five are THE five.  Getting 5 for 5 right on NCAA day is difficult, but its been done before, and its been done before by CU teams coached by Wetmore.  Law of averages should dictate that the Buffs are due. 

Depth comes in not that deep in the form of Van Halen and soph Joe DeMoor, who could come a long way and be pretty good this fall. 
I am loyal to the death when it comes to Wetmore and CU and have believed almost every year that they will win or contend to win.  This fall?  I suspect the Buffs will find their way back onto the podium with improvement and development across the board and perhaps find a way to win one more conference title on their way out the door.  Regionals may be a taller order...