Top 10 college cross country performances from the first month of the season

The 2025 college cross country season is in full swing with the first month in the books. While some stars spent September at Worlds in Tokyo, other athletes left an early mark on the cross country season with some standout performances. Here are the top 10 performances to start the year — five from men, five from women.

Men

Solomon Kipchoge, Washington State

We saw our first glimpse of championship-level running in Columbia, Missouri during the Gans Creek Classic. It was there that an impressive kick across the final 800 meters led Washington State’s Solomon Kipchoge to a win. Kipchoge finished in 22:24.7, a course-record, besting second place by more than seven seconds.

SEASON SCHEDULE: Top invitationals to watch in the 2025 cross country season

Andrew Kiplagat, Bethune-Cookman

After winning numerous SWAC titles at Jackson State, Andrew Kiplagat made a bold move, transferring across the conference to Bethune-Cookman. It’s a decision that proved to pay off early as Kiplagat won his first race as a Wildcat at the Florida Intercollegiate Cross Country Invitational.

Kiplagat won the 8K race in 24:40.2, a school-record time. Not only was the time a school record, he also won by six seconds in his season debut.

Denis Kipngetich, Oklahoma State

MAKE IT A COWGIRL-COWBOY SWEEP AT THE JAMBOREE 🤠

Denis Kipngetich wins the Cowboy Jamboree for the second time in three years with his time of 23:33.7! #GoPokes I #run4okstate pic.twitter.com/yXSAaJ4c7p

— Oklahoma State XC/T&F (@run4okstate) September 26, 2025

Denis Kipngetich was not going to lose on his home course when it came to the Cowboy Jamboree. The star Cowboy runner finished in 23:33.7 to win his second Cowboy Jamboree in three years, leading his three other teammates that all finished in the top 10. 

Kipngetich’s performance was even more critical when looking at the team results as Oklahoma State narrowly defeated New Mexico 36-41.

CHAMPIONSHIP INFO: 2025 NCAA cross country national championships: Date, time, TV channel, history

Evans Kurui, Washington State

Evans Kurui blazed through his home course in the Cougar Classic to finish in 22:22.1, a new PR. He broke his previous course record by 20 seconds.

Jacob White, Wyoming

Wyoming's Jacob White runs away with the Merrill Fischbein Men's 8k at Roy Griak!

1️⃣ Jacob White Wyoming 24:39.8
2️⃣ Cody Larson SDSU 24:56.4
3️⃣ Ryker Holtzen Wyoming 24:57.6

#16 ranked Cal Baptist wins the team race with 29 points.@wyo_track @NCAATrackField @BigTenNetwork… pic.twitter.com/0ditzXMLxI

— RunnerSpace (@runnerspace) September 19, 2025

The Roy Griak Invitational is one of the most prestigious invitationals of the cross country regular season and this year’s men’s winner was Wyoming’s Jacob White. White won in 24:56.4 — a 17 second win. His performance was vital to Wyoming’s second-place finish at Roy Griak.

Women

Florence Caron, Penn State

First-place finish for Florence Caron at the Spiked Shoe Invitational ☝️🦁#WeAre pic.twitter.com/5pRtBCXN3r

— Penn State Track & Field/Cross Country (@PennStateTFXC) September 12, 2025

Florence Caron did a great job on her home course during the Spiked Shoe Invitational. She won by 24 seconds in 19:54.7, also leading her team to a win.

Isca Chelangat, Oklahoma State

ISCA CHELANGAT CLOCKS THE SECOND FASTEST TIME IN JAMBOREE HISTORY 🤯

Chelangat dominates from the start, running a time of 19:59.1 to take down a field that included No. 1 BYU and No. 3 New Mexico‼️#GoPokes I #run4okstate pic.twitter.com/7lSAHtnagZ

— Oklahoma State XC/T&F (@run4okstate) September 26, 2025

Isca Chelangat is only a freshman, but that didn’t stop her from running the second-fastest time in Cowboy Jamboree history, finishing in 19:59.1 for the win. Chelangat outpaced BYU’s Riley Chamberlain in second, who finished 31st nationally last year. Moreover, Chelangat helped lead Oklahoma State to second-place in team scoring.

REGIONALS: Future regional sites for the DI cross country championships through 2027

Jadyn Keeler, North Dakota

North Dakota's Jadyn Keeler wins the Jack Johnson Women's 6k at Roy Griak!

1️⃣ Jadyn Keeler North Dakota 20:57.3
2️⃣ Ali Weimer UNATTACHED 21:00.9
3️⃣ Helena Mees

Cal Baptist takes down #20 Minnesota 25 to 45!@UNDtrackfieldXC @USTFCCCA @NCAATrackField pic.twitter.com/Q5JyYNfbF9

— RunnerSpace (@runnerspace) September 19, 2025

North Dakota’s Jadyn Keeler stunned the Minnesota faithful with her win at Roy Griak. She took down the defending Roy Griak champion Ali Weimer on her home course. Keeler pulled away over the last 1K to finish in 20:57.3, giving the UND standout the win by three seconds.

Caren Kiplagat, Alabama

Caren Kiplagat is the second standout freshman on this list. Kiplagat won the Southern Showcase in 16:18.8 — a 10-second victory — in her career debut. Her win made it three straight years that the Crimson Tide have won the women’s individual crown at the Southern Showcase

HISTORY: The fastest finishes at DI XC championships | Every DI XC individual champion

Rosemary Longisa, Washington State

Rosemary Longisa gave Washington State the individual title sweep at the Gans Creek Classic. Longisa finished in 19:07.0, besting the previous course record of 19:55.1. Longisa was one of three freshmen to finish atop a loaded field.