Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Cross Country ranked No. 1 in USTFCCCA Preseason National Coaches Poll for fourth time in program history
September 01, 2026 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State men's cross country enters the 2026 season ranked unanimous No. 1 in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Preseason National Coaches Poll, the organization announced Tuesday.
The Cowboys enter the season at the top of the preseason polls for the fourth time in program history, previously accomplishing the feat in 2011, 2013 and 2024. OSU is coming off an undefeated 2025 campaign that ended with the program's sixth NCAA cross country title at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in Missouri. Three Cowboy All-Americans from the 2025 NCAA Championships return in Brian Musau (fourth at NCAAs), Denis Kipngetich (sixth) and Adisu Guadie (12th).
The OSU men are also the defending Big 12 champions and Musau is the three-time defending Big 12 individual champion, just the second man in conference history to do so. Musau and Kipngetich are each three-time All-Americans in cross country and are looking to become just the fourth and fifth four-time All-Americans in program history, joining Tom Farrell (2010-13), Isai Rodriguez (2018, 2020-22) and Victor Shitsama (2020-23).
Guadie burst onto the scene last year during his junior campaign, placing as the Big 12 runner-up behind Musau and a massive career-best result at the NCAA Championships with his 12th-place finish.
Overall, the Cowboys have been ranked inside the top three of the USTFCCCA Preseason Poll in each of the last five seasons. They have also appeared in the top ten in all but one season since 2006, when Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Dave Smith took over the men's program as the head coach.
On the women's side, the Cowgirls enter the season ranked No. 17, marking the sixth straight season they have appeared in the top 25 of the preseason poll. The OSU women have now been ranked inside the top 25 in all but one season since Smith took over the program in 2009.
The OSU women are four-time defending NCAA Midwest Region champions and will be looking to retain their crown this season with a combination of new and old faces. Former Bowerman Watch List member Billah Jepkirui leads the charge, as she was seventh at the 2023 NCAA Championships. Sophomore Maureen Rutoh (42nd at last year's championships) also looks to help carry the load for the Cowgirls.
The Greiner Family OSU Cross Country Course will play host to the first meet of the season this Saturday, Sept. 5, with the Cowboy Preview exhibition meet. The Greiner Family OSU Cross Country Course was opened in 2019 and is named after Don and Shellie Greiner, as well as Don's father Ken, who have pledged a significant gift to Oklahoma State Athletics.
For more information on the Cowboys and Cowgirls, continue to check back with okstate.com.
The Cowboys enter the season at the top of the preseason polls for the fourth time in program history, previously accomplishing the feat in 2011, 2013 and 2024. OSU is coming off an undefeated 2025 campaign that ended with the program's sixth NCAA cross country title at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in Missouri. Three Cowboy All-Americans from the 2025 NCAA Championships return in Brian Musau (fourth at NCAAs), Denis Kipngetich (sixth) and Adisu Guadie (12th).
The OSU men are also the defending Big 12 champions and Musau is the three-time defending Big 12 individual champion, just the second man in conference history to do so. Musau and Kipngetich are each three-time All-Americans in cross country and are looking to become just the fourth and fifth four-time All-Americans in program history, joining Tom Farrell (2010-13), Isai Rodriguez (2018, 2020-22) and Victor Shitsama (2020-23).
Guadie burst onto the scene last year during his junior campaign, placing as the Big 12 runner-up behind Musau and a massive career-best result at the NCAA Championships with his 12th-place finish.
Overall, the Cowboys have been ranked inside the top three of the USTFCCCA Preseason Poll in each of the last five seasons. They have also appeared in the top ten in all but one season since 2006, when Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Dave Smith took over the men's program as the head coach.
On the women's side, the Cowgirls enter the season ranked No. 17, marking the sixth straight season they have appeared in the top 25 of the preseason poll. The OSU women have now been ranked inside the top 25 in all but one season since Smith took over the program in 2009.
The OSU women are four-time defending NCAA Midwest Region champions and will be looking to retain their crown this season with a combination of new and old faces. Former Bowerman Watch List member Billah Jepkirui leads the charge, as she was seventh at the 2023 NCAA Championships. Sophomore Maureen Rutoh (42nd at last year's championships) also looks to help carry the load for the Cowgirls.
The Greiner Family OSU Cross Country Course will play host to the first meet of the season this Saturday, Sept. 5, with the Cowboy Preview exhibition meet. The Greiner Family OSU Cross Country Course was opened in 2019 and is named after Don and Shellie Greiner, as well as Don's father Ken, who have pledged a significant gift to Oklahoma State Athletics.
For more information on the Cowboys and Cowgirls, continue to check back with okstate.com.
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Cowboy Cross Country & Track
Distance
/ Cowboy Cross Country & Track
Distance
/ Cowboy Cross Country & TrackWednesday, September 02
Saturday, August 29
Wednesday, August 26
Thursday, August 20
