Gans Creek Classic, Cowboy Jamboree Lead The Way ::: USTFCCCA

USTFCCCA News & Notes

By USTFCCCA Communications, USTFCCCA
September 26, 2025  &nbsp

That’s more like it!

The first major weekend of the cross country season is underway.

From The USTFCCCA InfoZone: Meets & Results

The Gans Creek Classic in Columbia, Missouri, serves as the pre-pre national for NCAA Division I, while the Lucian Rosa Invitational in Parkside, Washington, functions as the de facto pre-nationals for NCAA Division II.

Keep reading to find out what performances stood out.

Gans Creek Classic

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Men’s 8k Gold

Talk about a Show-Me Statement

Top-ranked Iowa State crushed the competition on Friday morning, putting three runners in the top ten – and four in the top 15 – en route to a commanding win. The Cyclones totaled 47 points, a clear 60 points ahead of No. 6 Virginia and a host of other nationally-ranked programs. Joash Ruto led the way with an individual runner-up finish in 22:32.0, joined in the top ten by by Sanele Masondo (sixth, 22:50.3) and Robin Kwemoi Bera (seventh, 22:50.7).

Ruto ran stride for stride with eventual winner Solomon Kipchoge of Washington State until about 800 meters remained. That’s when Kipchoge dropped the hammer on Ruto and Bernard Cheruiyot of Tulane, pulling away to win in a course-record 22:24.7 – seven seconds clear.

The Cavaliers, led by Gary Martin in ninth, were a decisive runner-up behind the Cyclones. No. 13 Colorado took third with 126 points, well ahead of No. 11 Alabama in fourth with 193 points and No. 2 BYU in fifth with 199 points.

Women’s 6k Gold

Two things didn’t stand a chance in the Women’s 6k Gold
at the Gans Creek Classic: the course record and the rest of a loaded field
once Florida imposed its will.

Rosemary Longisa of Washington State edged Mary Ogwoka of Tennessee for the individual title by 0.7 seconds, 19:07.0 to 19:07.7. Both marks demolished the former course record of 19:55.2 set in 2021 by former Alabama standout Mercy Chelangat. Longisa and Ogwoka were two of 24 runners to go under the old course record.

The 12^th-ranked Gators left no doubt on the course that will host the NCAA Championships on November 22. Florida led from the 1k split and never let up, eventually topping eighth-ranked Northern Arizona, 102-126. The Gators packed four runners in the top ten – Judy Chepkoech (seventh, 19:22.9), Tia Wilson (eighth, 19:25.4), Hilda Olemomoi (ninth, 19:30.8), and Desma Chepkoech (tenth, 19:34.8). Caroline Wells, Florida’s fifth runner, finished 68th in 20:30.6.

Rankings didn’t hold much weight on Friday morning. No. 2 Oregon the highest ranked team in the field, finished sixth behind Florida, Northern Arizona, No. 26 Colorado, No. 18 Virginia, and No. 22 Utah. The battle for fifth through seventh was razor-thin, with Utah (223), Oregon (224), and Iowa State (226) separated by just three points.

Cowboy Jamboree

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Men’s College 8k

Denis Kipngetich of host Oklahoma State won by 3.2 seconds in 23:33.7 over Oklahoma freshman Evans Biwott. New Mexico’s Collins Kiprotich (23:38.0), Vincent Chirchir (23:39.8) and Evans Kiplagat (23:42.4) claimed the next three places.

The team battle was close with No. 3 OSU edging No. 2 New Mexico, 36-41. No. 29 Tulsa was third with 107 points, just ahead of Oklahoma (108). Kentucky rounded out the top-5 with 147 as No. 10 Oregon (173) and NCAA DII Western Oregon (211).

Women’s College 6k

Freshman Isca Chelangat of Oklahoma State won the individual race by 5.3 seconds in 19:59.1 over BYU’s Riley Chamberlain. Marion Jepngetich of New Mexico was third in 20:15.8 with BYU’s Taylor Rohatinsky (20:23.8) and OSU freshman Maureen Rutoh (20:31.9) completed the top-5.

No. 1-ranked BYU won the team title convincingly with 34 points, packing five in the top-11 and all seven in the top-15. Host No. 13 Oklahoma State was second with 57 points and No. 3 New Mexico was third 65 points, being led by individual third-placer Marion Jepngetich. Kentucky (137) and SMU (134) rounded out the top-5. NCAA DII No. 7 Western Colorado was sixth with 188 points.

Lucian Rosa Invitational

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Men’s Championship 8k

Recap coming soon.

Women’s Championship 6k

Recap coming soon.