Habtom Samuel Breaks Through as Oklahoma State Reclaims the NCAA Cross Country Throne

The 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Cross Country Championship delivered everything fans hoped for—a furious early tempo, a massive lead pack, a late-race knockout punch, and a decisive team victory by Oklahoma State, who captured their second national title in three years with one of the strongest All-American showings in recent memory.

Samuel Strikes Gold After Last Year’s Heartbreak

Twelve months after finishing runner-up, Habtom Samuel of New Mexico finally claimed the one title missing from his resume. Racing with his trademark Dave Wottle-style cap, Samuel stayed patient through a chaotic first 7 kilometers, where more than 50 runners were separated by mere seconds.

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At 9K, he made the kind of move only a future global finalist could make—smooth, decisive, and brutally effective. No one could match it.

Samuel powered away to win his first NCAA cross country crown in 28:33, capping a masterful run through the fog and churned-up Oklahoma dirt.

Rocky Hansen (Wake Forest) closed hard to earn the silver in 28:38, while Solomon Kipchoge (Washington State) secured bronze in 28:40, the trio all dipping under 28:41.

A flood of talent followed: Gary Martin (Virginia), Collins Kiprotich (New Mexico), Abdel Laadjel (Oregon), and George Couttie (Virginia Tech) all broke 28:48, with 19 more athletes finishing under 29:00—one of the deepest fields in championship history.

Oklahoma State Dominates with Relentless Pack Running

Legendary coach Dave Smith’s Cowboys executed their blueprint to perfection: pack up, stay patient, and bury teams in the final kilometers.

By 8K, New Mexico had closed the gap, but the Cowboys’ firepower was simply too much:

• Brian Musau (4th)
• Fouad Messaoudi (5th)
• Denis Kipngetich (6th)

Three Cowboys in the top six—the knockout blow.

With their fifth man inside the top-35, Oklahoma State sealed the championship in convincing fashion, scoring 57 points to beat:

• New Mexico — 82
• Iowa State — 158
• Syracuse — 212

Five Oklahoma State runners earned All-American honors, the highest total of any team. New Mexico and Iowa State each placed four inside the top 40, while Oregon was the only other squad with three.

Freshman star Tayvon Kitchen (BYU), who fearlessly led early, hung on for 32nd place—earning All-American status in his NCAA championship debut.

How the Race Unfolded

1K — BYU’s Kitchen Sparks the Tempo:

Tayvon Kitchen surged to the front early, joined by Rocky Hansen and a wall of Oregon Ducks—Aiden Smith, Connor Burns, Abdel Laadjel, and Simeon Birnbaum. Oregon led the early team standings with 64 points.

5K

Tayvon Kitchen (BYU) was still in the lead crossing the 5k in 14:35, while Top five men Five seconds separated the top 50 athletes. No one dared to make the first big move.

7K — The Contenders Emerge

Samuel pushed toward the front. Ruto, Musau, Laadjel, Kipngetich, and Kipchoge all hovered near the top five.

8K to 9K — The Knockout

New Mexico briefly tightened the team race, but the Cowboys’ top three delivered one of the hardest late-race surges in championship memory.

Then Samuel attacked.

Only Hansen attempted to respond, but the gap grew fast. By the time they hit the final 500 meters, the title was Samuel’s.

Season Finale

• As the final athletes crossed the line, the season’s final tally became clear:
• Habtom Samuel cemented himself as the nation’s premier distance runner.
• Oklahoma State restored its dynasty status.

A freshman (Kitchen), a veteran (Musau), and a wave of newcomers proved the future of NCAA men’s distance running is bright and fearlessly fast.

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