ONCE AGAIN it is time for us to puff up our chests and hazard a variety of guesses as to how the NCAA cross country season will play out on its final day in Terre Haute, despite not having seen many of the teams and individuals in action yet.
On the men’s side, expect to see many familiar names. Only 4 of last year’s top 10 have moved on to other pastures. Up front will be a crew of veterans who have raced each other many times in the past, with a few new faces thrown in the mix.
The abundance of foreign distance talent has continued to flood the marketplace. The new NCAA legislation on age doesn’t come into effect until a year from now, and some notable talents have slipped in under the wire. Pressed ever harder to find success with roster limitations, many of the Power 4 coaches are relying more than ever on their internationals. It certainly shows here, with only one U.S. citizen mentioned in our forecast below.
In any case, be assured that we will be watching some riveting races. Even if many of the names are familiar, we have no way of knowing who upped the ante in training over the summer and who worked to keep news of their latest injuries off of social media. The surprises are what keep us watching!
1. Rocky Hansen (Wake Forest)
Runnerup last year, the Demon Deacon added another 2nd-place finish at the U.S. harrier trials with an impressive front-running performance. He then missed his chance to run in the World XC because of injury. He bounced back to take 2nd in the outdoor 5000 and has been training hard since then. While he loves to lead, he says, “I have to teach myself to be a Swiss army knife, not to win a race in [just] one way.” His speed has improved. Last spring he PRed at 800 (1:49.27) and 1500 (3:35.75).
2. Dennis Kipkemboi (Texas)
It’s hard to name someone the favorite when we’ve never seen them in action, but speculation is strong that the Longhorn recruit, now 25, may be the stuff of world class. Last year he was asked to be the pacemaker for the other Kenyans at the Berlin Half Marathon. Unaware that he was supposed to stop, he ran with the leader until the final kilo and took 2nd in 59:11. He later ran another half in 59:14. Then in June he ran his only 10,000, a 27:25.70. He could be the man to beat.
3. Duncan Gituku (Alabama)
The 27-year-old Kenyan may also be new to the NCAA, but a 13:03.48 at Heusden over the summer places him in rarified company. Runnerup in that race, among the people he beat were World 1500 bronze medalist Narve Gilje Nordås. Earlier in the year Gituku ran 28:14 at a 10K race in Spain and 13:28 to win a 5K in Lausanne. In ’25 he beat a strong field to win the Kenyan military XC race, clocking 29:26 for 10K at altitude.
4. Elsingi Kipruto (Louisville)
The son of Gilbert Kipchoge, a 1:44.52 performer at 800, it’s not surprising that Kipruto took up running, but just that he found success in avoiding his father’s event. Only 39th in his first go at cross country nationals for the Cardinals, the 21-year-old Kenyan hit his stride in track last year. He ran 27:29.83 in the early season, won the ACC 5000 in 13:23.34, and then placed 2nd in the 10K at nationals. He came back for 3rd in the 5000 two days later.
5. Valentin Soca (Georgia)
The Uruguayan record-holder from the 1500 to the 10,000, Soca had much success in 3 years at Cal Baptist, winning several WAC titles and placing 4th in the NCAA 5000. Unattached during track in ‘26, he opened with a road 10K in 27:21, then placed 6th in the World Indoor 3000 and ran well on the Euro “B” circuit, clocking NRs of 3:35.12 and 7:33.81. The previous summer he ran his distance PRs of 13:02.85 and 27:37.65.
6. Solomon Kipchoge (Washington State)
The winner of the West regional and 3rd at nationals last year, the 30-year-old Kenyan ran into problems in track, not qualifying for either nationals and not doing any summer racing. He started his harrier season with a 22:50 for 8K behind teammate Evans Kurui. His position here reflects an optimism that he will be able to return to his ’25 form. Prior to his first collegiate season at Texas Tech, he ran a 59:37 for the half marathon.
7. Brian Musau (Oklahoma State)
In three NCAA XC races, the Kenyan has never finished worse than 8th. Last year he finished 4th, even though we tabbed him in the early season to win. On the track the sub-13:00 runner placed 6th in the 5000 after winning it the year before. Perhaps injured during the season, he only ran 6 races on the oval compared to 11 the year before. But the real question, how old is he? It’s quite hard to believe that according to World Athletics, he won’t turn 20 until a month after his final NCAA cross race. At least one other source lists his birthdate as 4 years earlier.
8. Denis Kipngetich (Oklahoma State)
In three appearances at the harrier finals he has never finished lower than 11th. His best came with a 4th as a frosh. Still riding his XC fitness in December last year, he clocked a PR 13:12.91 at BU. Indoors, he placed 7th in the NCAA 5000, then hit early season times of 13:13.43 and 27:38.36. He placed 4th in the 10,000 at nationals and came back for 11th in the 5000. Now 23, he hopes to be a bigger factor yet as part of a dominant Cowboy team.
9. Kelvin Cheruiyot (Florida)
He considered following good friends Brian Musau and Denis Kipngetich to Oklahoma State, but the decision to head to Gainesville worked out quite well. As a Gator yearling, he won the SEC harrier crown and placed 14th at nationals. He ran an oversized indoor 5000 in 13:15.57, then finished 11th in that event at the NCAA Indoor. Outdoors, he scored big SEC points with a 3rd in the 10K and 4th in the 5K. At nationals, he took his 10,000 PR down to 28:13.36 in placing 7th. He will turn 22 in late September.
10. Dismus Lokira (Alabama)
In last year’s nationals, he placed 11th after running to a 5th in the SEC. Indoors, the 28-year-old Kenyan ran a 13:21.54 PR at 5000, placed 2nd in the SEC while also winning the 3000 there but had troubles at NCAA Indoors, finishing 12th. Outdoors he found more success by going longer, hitting an early-season 28:05.60 (his PR is 27:47.20), finishing 2nd in the NCAA and placing 5th at nationals.
Others To Watch:
Robin Kwemoi Bera (Iowa State), Nick Busienei (Arkansas), Ernest Cheruiyot (Texas Tech), George Couttie (Virginia Tech), Adisu Guadie (Oklahoma State), Justine Kipkoech (Iowa State), Evans Kiplagat (New Mexico), Collins Kiprotich (New Mexico), Silas Kiptanui (Tulane), Evans Kirui (Washington State), Geoffrey Kirwa (Louisville), Nickson Kogei (Louisville), Benedict Njoroge (Washington State), Rodgers Plimo (Alabama). ◻︎
