• 2025 College XC Rankings Presented By HOKA: Division I
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Women of NC State & Oregon Make Their Case For No. 1 After Conference Championship Weekend

In case anyone was wondering why the defending national champion remained at No. 1 despite racing sparingly this season, the answer was clear this weekend.

Making her season debut, Alabama’s Doris Lemngole picked up right where she left off, winning her second consecutive SEC title in her first race since competing in the World Championship final. Lemngole cruised to victory in 19:32.4, saving her best effort for when it matters most.

Moving up to No. 2 this week is record-breaker Jane Hedengren, whose dominant wins at Rim Rock Farm and the Big 12 Championships pushed her past Grace Hartman of NC State, now at No. 3. Hedengren clocked a lifetime best of 18:29.6 in her second 6k, breaking her own course record in the process.

Hartman finished fourth at ACCs, helping the Wolfpack return to the top of the podium, while Pamela Kosgei of New Mexico held steady at No. 4. The sophomore claimed her second Mountain West title dominantly, finishing 22 seconds ahead of the field.

Rounding out the top five is NC State’s Angelina Napoleon, who navigated a deep, competitive field to win her first conference crown on the grass.

The rest of the top ten features several new faces, led by Rosemary Longisa of Washington State, who earned her first WCC title in Spokane—her fourth win in five races this season. Silvia Jelego of Clemson and Mary Bonner Dalton of Notre Dame jumped to Nos. 7 and 8 after finishing second and third at ACCs, climbing from their previous positions at Nos. 15 and 18.

After breaking the tape at the Big Ten Championships, Oregon’s Diana Cherotich moved up seven spots from No. 16 to No. 9, followed by Joy Naukot of West Virginia, who rose from No. 19 to No. 10 after her runner-up finish at the Big 12 meet.

Rounding out the top 15 are Vera Sjoberg of North Carolina, Hannah Gapes of NC State, Sophia Kennedy of Stanford, Riley Chamberlain of BYU, and Mercyline Kirwa of Iowa State, who were previously ranked Nos. 8, 12, 11, 20, and 13, respectively.

After weeks of BYU dominance, there’s a new No. 1 in town—and it’s none other than Laurie Henes’ NC State Wolfpack.

After a down year in 2024, the program that has won three of the last four national titles is back and better than ever, coming off a commanding ACC team championship. With three finishers in the top five and all scorers inside the top ten, it’s no surprise they’ve reclaimed their spot atop the collegiate landscape.

For the first time this fall, Oregon climbs to No. 2, following a near-perfect performance at the Big Ten Championships. Led by individual champion Cherotich, the Ducks placed six runners among the first nine finishers, signaling they’ll be in the hunt for one of the lowest team scores of the postseason.

Defending champion BYU drops to No. 3 this week, but their 38–71 win over Iowa State keeps them near the top, especially considering they’ve yet to unveil All-American Jenna Hutchins.

Florida and Notre Dame round out the top five at Nos. 4 and 5, followed by Northern Arizona, Iowa State, West Virginia, Alabama, and Oklahoma State—all within two spots of their previous rankings.

Oklahoma State Flexes Its Strength & Depth, Takes Over No. 1 Spot

Coming off his blistering win in Fresno, New Mexico's Habtom Samuel stayed put at No. 1, with Big 12 champion Brian Musau holding firm at No. 2.

Not only did both men solidify themselves as true contenders for a national title later this month, but they also led their teams to conference titles and gained plenty of momentum in the process.

Former Texas Tech standout and current Washington State frontrunner Solomon Kipchoge took care of business up north, winning his first WCC title in 22:32. It marked his third time running under 22:35 this fall, which was more than enough to move him up a spot to No. 3.

One of the many stars on a loaded Oklahoma State roster, Denis Kipngetich dropped one position to No. 4 following a fourth-place finish in Lawrence last weekend.

CBU’s Valentin Soca, ranked fifth, had just enough at the WAC Championships to snag the individual crown, leading a group of six Lancers inside the top nine finishers and clinching the team title along the way.

ACC champion and Wake Forest leader Rocky Hansen climbed from No. 9 to No. 6 after a breakthrough performance in Louisville, followed by Iowa State’s Robin Kwemoi Bera, who finished third at the Big 12 meet.

At No. 8 is Bernard Cheruiyot, the Tulane standout who finished runner-up at the American Conference Championships behind Wichita State’s Elkana Kipruto, now ranked No. 12.

Kelvin Cheruiyot, fresh off an SEC title, made one of the biggest jumps of the week, soaring from No. 26 to No. 9. Rounding out the top ten is Virginia’s Gary Martin, who held steady at No. 10.

Iowa State’s Joash Ruto and the surging Elkana Kipruto sit at No. 11 and No. 12, with the latter rocketing up from No. 44 after a standout showing at the American Championships.

Washington State’s Evans Kurui, East Tennessee State’s Jason Bowers, and Alabama’s Dismus Lokira occupy spots 13 through 15 after strong performances at their respective conference meets.

Just like on the women’s side, the men’s team rankings saw major shakeups, with the Oklahoma State Cowboys switching spots with former No. 1 Iowa State after handily beating the Cyclones 20–43. The Cowboys put their top five runners ahead of Iowa State’s No. 2 and all five inside the top seven overall, making them a no-brainer for this week’s top-ranked squad.

New Mexico didn't budge in the rankings after a cruise-controlled Mountain West Championship, keeping its spot at No. 2 in between the Big 12 foes.

Both Virginia and Colorado kept their spots at No. 4 and No. 5 as well.

The rest of the top ten is full of familiar faces, with Alabama staying put at No. 6, followed by Syracuse and BYU, who switched spots and now sit at No. 7 and No. 8.

Big Sky champions and Big Ten champions, Northern Arizona and Oregon, round out the top ten as all eyes turn their focus toward the NCAA Regional Weekend.

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