THERE HASN’T BEEN an NCAA women’s XC champion other than NC State or BYU (which have also combined for three of the past seven runner-up finishes) since 2019. Could we finally have a new women’s team titlist this November at LaVern Gibson? It happens that when the iconic Terre Haute layout last hosted the meet 7 years ago, Arkansas won its final title under Lance Harter, beating BYU by 6 points.
Well, if you asked the above question of a quartet of Kenyans over in Ames, Iowa, with their new coach having matriculated from Washington State, you might well get a resounding YES! Led by NCAA 10K champ Mercyline Kirwa, the Cyclones, now under mentor Laura Harmon, might just have enough foreign firepower to break the Wolfpack-Cougar stranglehold on the title.
But despite a major graduation loss here or a big returning question mark there, don’t expect Diljeet Taylor’s crew led by super soph Jane Hedengren, or Laurie Henes squad paced by Grace Hartman and Hannah Gapes to go quietly.
1. Iowa State
The Cyclones were the breakout program for much of last fall, with relatively unheralded Kenyan frosh Kirwa, Betty Kipkore (15th at NCAAs) and Mercy Kibet (20th) forming a dynamite top 3 that led to a podium finish at Nuttycombe and runner-up in the Big 12. An injury to Kirwa, however, made lack of depth too much to overcome and ISU finished 20th at nationals. Now with the top 3 back and Harmon on board with transfer Rosemary Longisa (27th and reigning NCAA 1500 champ), they may have too much for anyone else.
2. NC State
It stands to reason that, with its top 7 returning from the ’25 NCAA champs, the Wolfpack would be an overwhelming favorite. But Hartman (6th) missed the ’26 track season with injuries (after a ’25 where she ran 14:58 and 31:20) and whether she can return to form is key. Gapes (5th), who ran 9th in the World Road Champs 5K last week for New Zealand, is the second half of the lead duo. Coach Laurie Henes, whose squad has 4 of the past 6 crowns, has a deep stable of talent behind them. The group includes Angelina Napoleon (40th, 9:10 steeple), Bethany Michalak (29th), Sadie Engelhardt (51st) and transfer Rachel Forsyth (16th in ’24).
3. BYU
The good news for the Cougars is that 1), arguably the most talented U.S.-born distance runner in NCAA history has returned for her soph campaign; and, 2), a deep group of talented returnees are ready to battle for a team podium finish. The bad news is that to win, they may need to have someone step up, like now-graduated Riley Chamberlain did last year. Nelah Roberts (41st) ,Taylor Lovell (55th) and Zariel Macchia (82nd) are among returnees from last fall’s runner-ups. That result was the second Cougar 2nd-place finish in the past 6 years to go with the program’s ’20 and ’24 titles. Might Lovell, who won last spring’s NCAA steeple, be that person? Or Jenna Hutchins, who has 8:44.04, 15:15.76 and 32:01.02 track PRs?
4. New Mexico
There is no question Coach Darren Gauson’s Lobos have the firepower at the top, with Pamela Kosgei (17th, but 2nd in ’24 and 30:49.99 10K PR) and Marion Jepngetich (43rd, NCAA 5K outdoor champ). The question is whether UNM’s 3 through 7 runners can give them what they need to make the podium. They’ll need to overcome the loss of supporting players Alice Seguin (71st), Nicola Jansen (73rd) and Jasmine Wood (74th). Key candidates to do so include Judy Rono (49th), who missed the track seasons, Mercy Kirarei (35th in ’24) or newcomer Elia Ton-That.
5. Oregon
The Ducks scored a 3rd-place finish last fall under Coach Shalane Flanagan, despite high All-American threats Diana Cherotich (31st) and Juliet Cherubet (39th) really not quite living up to their potential in Columbia. That Oregon made the podium had a lot to do with Şilan Ayyıldız coming through big in 9th, a solid finish from Dalia Frias (36th) and the depth being just enough. But Ayyıldız, Anika Thompson and Mia Barnett have departed, meaning Cherotich and Cherubet need to return to their pre-fall-’25 form and others like Ella Thorsett, Bahiya El Arfaoui or Sofia Thøgersen need to come through.
6. Stanford
A lot of things have to go right for Stanford to be able to get well into the top 10, and maybe sniff the podium, but the pieces are there to do so. It starts with All-Americans Sophia Kennedy (34th and 15:07 5K PR) and Amy Bunnage (30th, but 4th in ’24). The formula would continue with progress from returnees Hanne Thomsen, Julia Flynn and Hillary Studdert, and a big splash from frosh like Chiara Dailey and Jaelyn Williams.
7. Alabama
No doubt, the Tide will miss the low-stick legend that is Doris Lemngole. But they have a stellar 1-2 punch with their 2-3 from last year, Caren Kiplagat (11th) and Cynthia Jemutai (19th). Then Coach Nick Stenuf brings back Brenda Tuwei, who missed all of last fall, but was 29th in ’24 (plus 8th in the ’25 10K). If returnee Lilly Walters can improve and newcomers Sharon Kipchumba and Milicent Wafula can make an impact, then a strong top 10 finish is possible.
8. Northern Arizona
Coach Jarred Cornfield doesn’t really have a big star, but has an abundance of returning depth with Hayley Burns (32nd), Ava Mitchell (37th) and Keira Moore (57th). They could also get a big boost from Swede Carmen Cernjul, who has clocked 15:06 for 5K, and a wealth of other newcomers. Those could all help overcome the losses of Agnes McTighe and Karrie Baloga.
9. West Virginia
Joy Naukot leads a Mountaineer squad that brings back almost everyone from its 9th-place ’25 squad. Naukot improved from 17th as a frosh to 12th last year (also has 3rd and 5th-place NCAA 10K finishes). Mercy Kinyanjui, 45th last year, returns as a very strong No. 2. The improvement of Naomi Kemboi (56th), Emily Bryce (69th in ’24) and Lexi Lamb (95th) and will likely determine whether WVU can return to the top 10.
10. Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish got a huge boost from the monster finish of Mary Bonner Dalton last fall in 10th. That led a 7th-place performance. How well Bonner Dalton bounces back from injury this past spring will be a big factor. Coach Matt Sparks also gets No. 2 Amaya Aramini (25th) back. The squad’s rebuild after the losses of Siona Chisholm and Sophie Novak will look for a combination of Isabel Allori, Gretchen Farley, Chloe Huyler, Reagan Riley and Rosie Mucharsky.
Others To Watch:
Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Penn State, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia. ◻︎
