IT’S NEARLY 2 MONTHS before the nation’s best head to Terre Haute for the one race in which you can count on every team playing all its cards. That’s not to say that early-season results are meaningless. They’re often a chance for unheralded teams and individuals to say, “Don’t forget about us.” To wit, September yielded some outcomes that may not soon be forgotten.
Cowboy Jamboree — OK State’s Jepkirui, New Mexico’s Men
STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA, September 26 — For those who thought that ’25 NCAA runner-up Jane Hedengren might run the table this fall, or that 6K might be a little long at the highest level for mid-distance standout Billah Jepkirui, the women’s race provided food for thought.
The BYU star pulled away from New Mexico’s Mercy Kirarei (the Lobos didn’t run Pamela Kosgei or Marion Jepngetich) and led by 6 seconds at 3K. But while that gap continued to grow, the host school’s Jepkirui and Maureen Cherotich were coming from way behind. They overhauled Hedengren (19:32.5) in the final 800 and finished in 19:24.4 and 19:28.6.
With Jenna Hutchins leading a 5-7-8-9-10 finish, BYU (No. 3 in our Preview) still ran to a decisive win with 32 points. Behind them, Oklahoma State came from 133 points at 1K down to 64 by the finish, 6 ahead of the Lobos for 2nd.
“We had some things go really well and we got good data as we go back to a big block of training in October,” said BYU coach Diljeet Taylor.
The Lobos more impressive finish came on the men’s side, as soph Pasanjo Kitonga outkicked senior Denis Kipngetich by a second in 23:24.4. The winner’s teammate Collins Kiprotich gapped OSU’s other veteran Brian Musau by 7 seconds for 3rd.
That set the tone for New Mexico to upend the top-ranked Cowboys, 28–44. They prevailed at every position, with the 8-point advantage in the #4 spot between Joshua Abraham (6th) and Laban Kipkemboi (15th) the most telling.
Men’s Teams: 1. New Mexico 28; 2. Oklahoma State 44; 3. Adams State 112; 4. Stephen F. Austin 134; 5. Tulsa 141; 6. Oregon 162; 7. TCU 225; 8. Oral Roberts 249; 9. New Mexico State 285; 10. Lamar 313.
Top Individuals: 1. ***Pasanjo Kitonga’ (NM-Ken) 23:24.4; 2. Denis Kipngetich’ (OkSt-Ken) 23:25.4; 3. *Collins Kiprotich’ (NM-Ken) 23:36.0; 4. Brian Musau’ (OkSt-Ken) 23:43.0; 5. Evans Kiplagat’ (NM-Ken) 23:45.2; 6. **Joshua Abraham’ (NM-Fra) 23:46.5; 7. *Jacob Deacon’ (OkSt-GB) 23:47.2; 8. Tayson Echohawk (Or) 23:49.8; 9. Abraham Chelangam’ (OR-Uga) 23:54.4; 10. **Justus Soget Kiplagat’ (Odessa-Ken) 23:55.8.
Women’s Teams: 1. BYU 32; 2. Oklahoma State 64; 3. New Mexico 70; 4. SMU 124; 5. Oklahoma 158; 6. Adams State 173; 7. Stephen F. Austin 183; 8. New Mexico State 231; 9. TCU 252; 10. Lamar 332.
Top Individuals: 1. Billah Jepkirui’ (OkSt-Ken) 19:24.4; 2. **Maureen Cherotich’ (OkSt-Ken) 19:28.6; 3. **Jane Hedengren (BYU) 19:32.5; 4. *Mercy Kirarei’ (NM-Ken) 19:51.1; 5. Jenna Hutchins (BYU) 19:56.9; 6. **Rose Mburu’ (SMU-Ken) 20:02.3; 7. Lexi Goff (BYU) 20:07.3; >8. *Nelah Roberts (BYU) 20:15.2; 9. *Taylor Lovell (BYU) 20:15.9; 10. *Karrie Baloga (BYU) 20:17.5
Gans Creek Invite — Razorbacks Edge Vols, Chelangat Debuts
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI, September 25 — A commanding 1-2 finish by senior Ernest Cheruiyot (22:32.8) and frosh Nick Busienei (24:34.0) contributed most to a 69–75 win for coaches poll No. 16 Arkansas over Tennessee. Cheruiyot ran his first XC race for the Hogs after transferring from Texas Tech last January.
Meanwhile, one of the biggest transfers — Isca Chelangat, who relocated from Stillwater to Fayetteville — debuted with an 18:58.4 triumph, 6 seconds up on Elizabeth Khatevi of Texas A&M CC. Kentucky got a 3-4-8 finish, but the host Tigers had far more depth, winning 56–136.
Men’s Teams: 1. Arkansas 69; 2. Tennessee 75; 3. Wichita State 170; 4. Colorado School of Mines 175; 5. Ole Miss 202; 6. Missouri 230; 7. Florida State 253; 8. Colorado State 265; 9. Illinois 269; 10. Kansas 273.
Top Individuals: 1. Ernest Cheruiyot’ (Ar-Ken) 22:32.8; 2. ***Nick Busienei’ (Ar-Ken) 22:34.0; 3. Nicholas Kipchirchir’ (Wich-Ken) 22:40.5; 4. Kidus Misgina (Ms) 22:42.6; 5. *Elkana Kipruto’ (Wich-Ken) 22:43.5; 6. ***Stephen Maroro’ (Ks-Ken) 22:46.9; 7. *Collins Kiprop Kipngok’ (Ky-Ken) 22:50.0; 8. **Nelson Setek’ (Tn-Ken) 22:50.2; 9. *Zouhair Redouane’ (Tn-Mor) 22:50.8; 10. Dawson Gunn (CSM) 22:52.7.
Women’s Teams: 1. Missouri 56; 2. Kentucky 136; 3. Florida State 151; 4. North Dakota 169; 5. Arkansas 169; 6. Nebraska 200; 7. Wyoming 246; 8. Mississippi 261; 9. Tennessee 282; 10. Utah State 292.
Top Individuals: 1. **Isca Chelangat’ (Ar-Ken) 18:58.4; 2. *Elizabeth Khatevi’ (AMCC-Ken) 19:03.6; 3. **Ann Lemirisho’ (Ky-Ken) 19:05.7; 4. **Doricah Minsari Isoe’ (Ky-Ken) 19:08.0; 5. **Monica Wanjiku’ (Mo-Ken) 19:18.3; 6. Rahel Broemmel’ (Mo-Ger) 19:38.7; 7. **Juliana Sakat’ (IaWnCC-Gha) 19:40.2; 8. *Janet Jepkemboi Amimo’ (Ky-Ken) 19:40.9; 9. Suzy Lecoutre’ (Mo-GB) 19:41.8; 10. *Emmaculate Jemutai’ (Ks-Ken) 19:43.6.
Princeton Meadows — Tide Sweeps In The Rain
PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY, September 27 —Alabama frosh Rodgers Plimo pulled away in the last K for a 22:59.4 triumph, leading teammates Duncan Gituku and Dismus Lokira in 2nd and 4th. Bama scored 42, 26 points up on Syracuse. The Orangemen were led by Benne Anderson, surging from a distant 9th to 3rd in the final mile.
Caren Kiplagat, 11th at NCAAs last year for Alabama, blew the women’s race open before halfway and crushed the field with her 19:12.4 for the team sweep. The Tide had the top 5 through halfway before North Carolina narrowed their winning tally to 57–75.
Men’s Teams: 1. Alabama 42; 2. Syracuse 67; 3. Villanova 104; 4. Georgetown 127; 5. North Carolina 129; 6. Princeton 156; 7. Cornell 186; 8. Duke 217; 9. Iona 277; 10. Providence 285.
Top Individuals: 1. ***Rodgers Plimo’ (Al-Ken) 22:59.3; 2. **Duncan Gituku’ (Al-Ken) 23:07.3; 3. *Benne Anderson’ (Syr-Ger) 23:11.2; 4. *Dismus Lokira’ (Al-Ken) 23:17.2; 5. *Bailey Habler’ (Vill-Aus) 23:18.6; 6. Freddy Collins (BU) 23:20.8; 7. Birhanu Harriman (Gtn) 23:21.3; 8. *Jacob Nenow (Prin) 23:23.1; 9. Joe O’Brien’ (Gtn-GB) 23:24.5; 10. **Ben Gabelman (Syr) 23:26.3.
Women’s Teams: 1. Alabama 57; 2. North Carolina 75; 3. Providence 87; 4. Duke 105; 5. Syracuse 153; 6. Wake Forest 201; 7. Penn State 222; 8. Princeton 226; 9. Connecticut 234; 10. Boston University 241.
Top Individuals: 1. **Caren Kiplagat’ (Al-Ken) 19:12.4; 2. **Victoria Garces (Duke) 19:43.1; 3. **Cynthia Jemutai’ (Al-Ken) 19:53.3; 4. *Gabby Schmidt’ (Prov-Aus) 19:53.9; 5. **Mildred Rono’ (Al-Ken) 19:54.9; 6. Adrienne Buettner-Cable (BU) 19:55.3; 7. **Keira Rogan (Syr) 19:58.8; 8. Brooke Wilson (WF) 19:59.4; 9. Tilly O’Connor (Vill) 20:01.8; 10. *Ciara O’Shea (NC) 20:05.1.
McNichols Invite — Jepchumba Over Zang In Frosh Battle
TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA, September 19 — Indoor prep recordsetter Katy Zang tried to break away late from fellow frosh Brighter Jepchumba in her second collegiate race, but the Kenyan powered past her in the final 200, 19:14.0–19:15.7. Both battered Sally Kipyego’s ’08 course record.
Northern Arizona did not run Hayley Burns or Carmen Cernjul, but still tallied 61 with a 29-second 1–5 spread, paced by Ava Mitchell and Elsa Sundqvist. Utah rallied late for 2nd with 107.
Meanwhile, Kelvin Cheruiyot backed up his breakout frosh campaign with 23:20.7 ahead of NCAA 10K runner-up Elsingi Kipruto (23:22.0). BYU’s soph Tayvon Kitchen was a close 3rd, ahead of Washington State’s Evans Kurui and Solomon Kipchoge. That duo paced the Cougars to 71 points and a 48-point margin over No. 21 Florida. The Gators moved up impressively from 9th at 3K.
Men’s Teams: 1. BYU 71; 2. Florida 119; 3. Washington 190; 4. Stanford 205; 5. Washington State 212; 6. Michigan State 212; 7. Northern Arizona 232; 8. Utah Valley 265; 9. Wisconsin 267; 10. Butler 275.
Top Individuals: 1. **Kelvin Cheruiyot’ (Fl-Ken) 23:20.7; 2. **Elsingi Kipruto’ (Louis-Ken) 23:22.0; 3. **Tayvon Kitchen (BYU) 23:23.1; 4. *Evans Kurui’ (WaSt-Ken) 23:37.6; 5. *Solomon Kipchoge’ (WaSt-Ken) 23:47.7; 6. *Pedro Marin’ (CalB-Col) 23:52.2; 7. **Tam Gavenas (Harv) 23:53.6; 8. **Thomas Westphal (MiSt) 23:54.6; 9. *Geofrey Ronoh’ (Fl-Ken) 23:56.1; 10. Joad Martinho’ (Tol-Fra) 23:58.4.
Women’s Teams: 1. Northern Arizona 61; 2. Utah 107; 3. Washington State 121; 4. Toledo 124; 5. Florida 156; 6. Washington 176; 7. Boston College 217; 8. Eastern Kentucky 248; 9. Michigan State 267; 10. Louisville 280.
Top Individuals: 1. ***Brighter Jepchumba’ (EnKy-Ken) 19:14.0; 2. ***Katy Zang (In) 19:15.7; 3. *Judy Chepkoech’ (Fl-Ken) 19:30.8; 4. **Edna Chelulei’ (EnKy-Ken) 19:42.6; 5. **Desma Chepkoech’ (Fl-Ken) 19:53.5; 6. ***Millie Bii’ (WaSt-Ken) 19:56.1; 7. Ava Mitchell (NnAz) 20:00.2; 8. ***Purity Chepkirui’ (Tol-Ken) 20:03.3; 9. **Elsa Sundqvist’ (NnAz-Swe) 20:06.7; 10. Erin Vringer (Ut) 20:12.6.
Griak Invite — Cyclones Dominate With Mostly B-Team
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, September 18 — Iowa State (No. 3 in our Preview, No. 2 in the coaches’ poll), allowed a glimpse of its top guns. Rodgers Kiplimo led their 24-point total with his runner-up 23:48.4 finish — the only one among the 4 top returnees. Still, Dylan Maloney, Devan Kipyego and Mikah Peters took the next 3 spots.
“Anytime we can hold out some of your top athletes and still win a race, it’s exciting,” said ISU Coach Jeremy Sudbury.
Brian Kiprotich led Boise State’s 2nd-place finish with his 23:40.2 victory. They will host the Pac-12 Champs in their first year in the restructured conference.
The host Gophers won the women’s race with 26 points ahead of Boise (45). Soph Isabelle Schmitz (19:44.8) led a 1-3-5 finish.
Men’s Teams: 1. Iowa State 24; 2. Boise State 39; 3. Wisconsin-La Crosse 86; 5. North Dakota State 126.
Top Individuals: 1. **Brian Kiprotich’ (Boise-Ken) 23:40.2; 2. Rodgers Kiplimo’ (IaSt-Ken) 23:48.4; 3. **Dylan Maloney (IaSt) 23:56.2; 4. *Devan Kipyego (IaSt) 23:56.3; 5. ***Mikah Peters (IaSt) 23:59.8; 6. Finn Anspach (Boise) 24:04.5; 7. *Owen Clark (WiLC) 24:05.5; 8. ***Benjamin Kehrein (Boise) 24:06.5; 9. *Ethan Moe (NDSt) 24:11.1; 10. ***Matthew Shelly (IaSt) 24:12.5.
Women’s Teams: 1. Minnesota 26; 2. Boise State 45; 3. North Dakota State 95; 4. St. Thomas (Mn) 142; 5. Wisconsin-La Crosse 167.
Top Individuals: 1. *Isabelle Schmitz (Mn) 19:44.8; 2. *Amit Koma’ (Boise-Isr) 19:53.5; 3. ***Jazleen Malherek-Osorio (Mn) 19:57.3; 4. **Lily LaPorte (Boise) 20:01.7; 5. Zoie Dundon (Mn) 20:04.5; 6. *Jade Rypkema (NDSt) 20:05.4; 7. *Stella Rusch (Winon) 20:05.5; 8. Izzy Roemer (Mn) 20:06.3; 9. *Taylor Isabel (Mn) 20:07.0; 10. **Kelsey Young (Winon) 20:10.5.
