COLUMBIA, MO —

In a dominant display of depth and determination, the Oklahoma State Cowboys men’s cross country team captured their sixth NCAA national title on November 22, 2025, at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia, Missouri. The Cowboys put up a low score of 57 points to secure their second championship in three years, fending off a strong challenge from New Mexico (82 points) and pulling away from the rest of the field. This victory marks the fifth title under head coach Dave Smith and reinforces Oklahoma State’s status as a powerhouse in collegiate distance running, bouncing back from an eighth place finish in 2024.  

The race, contested over a 10K course under cool and soggy conditions, saw international talent shine brightly, with only two Americans cracking the top 10. New Mexico’s Habtom Samuel claimed the individual crown in 28:33.9, surging away in the final mile after a patient race in a massive lead pack. Wake Forest’s Rocky Hansen took silver in 28:38.0, followed by Washington State’s Solomon Kipchoge in third at 28:40.1.  

Team Standings and Scoring Breakdown

Oklahoma State’s victory was built on a remarkable front running pack, with three runners in the top six and consistent performances across the board. Their scoring runners finished in 4th, 5th, 6th, 12th, and 30th places, adding up to the winning total of 57, the second lowest score in the last two decades, behind only their own 49 point effort in 2023.  The top 10 team results were as follows:

•  1.  Oklahoma State – 57 points

•  2.  New Mexico – 82 points

•  3.  Iowa State – 158 points

•  4.  Syracuse – 212 points

•  5.  Oregon – 239 points

•  6.  Alabama – 253 points

•  7.  Virginia – 303 points (tie)

•  7.  Northern Arizona – 303 points (tie)

•  9.  Eastern Kentucky – 316 points

•  10.  Colorado – 318 points  

New Mexico’s runner-up finish was their best ever, highlighted by four scorers in the top 20, while preseason favorite Iowa State settled for third after dealing with mid-race falls that disrupted their pack. 

Top 12 Individual Results

1.  Habtom Samuel (New Mexico) – 28:33.9

2.  Rocky Hansen (Wake Forest) – 28:38.0

3.  Solomon Kipchoge (Washington St.) – 28:40.1

4.  Brian Musau (Oklahoma State) – 28:41.2

5.  Fouad Messaoudi (Oklahoma State) – 28:42.8

6.  Denis Kipngetich (Oklahoma State) – 28:44.3

7.  Gary Martin (Virginia) – 28:44.3

8.  Collins Kiprotich (New Mexico) – 28:45.7

9.  Abdel Laadjel (Oregon) – 28:46.2

10.  George Couttie (Virginia Tech) – 28:47.4

11.  Dismus Lokira (Alabama) – 28:48.5

12.  Adisu Guadia (Oklahoma State) – 28:49.7