Cowboy Cross Country places second at 88th annual Cowboy Jamboree

Saturday, September 26

Stillwater, OK

8:15 AM

Oklahoma State University

Cowboy Jamboree

Cowboy Cross Country places second at 88th annual Cowboy Jamboree

September 26, 2026 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State women's distance runner Billah Jepkirui unleashed a furious kick over the final 1,000 meters to win the individual race at the 88^th Cowboy Jamboree, with the Cowboys and Cowgirls placing second as a team respectively.

Jepkirui broke the Jamboree meet record and the Greiner Family OSU Cross Country course record with her time of 19:24.4, breaking the previous course record of 19:27.7 set by national champion Katelyn Tuohy at the 2022 NCAA Cross Country Championships. Jepkirui worked her way through the field throughout, starting 24^th through the 1K split before eventually taking the lead from two-time NCAA champion Jane Hedengren of BYU with just over 200 meters remaining as she stormed to her second career Jamboree win (2023).

"Billah and Maureen (Rutoh) were incredible," Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Dave Smith said. "They ran fast, but more importantly, they ran really smart races. Very strategically sound and patient and they came on strong in the last 1,000 meters."

Right behind Jepkirui was Rutoh, who placed second overall with her time of 19:28.6, less than one second off the previous course record and over a 20 second personal best at the Greiner. Overall, the 15^th-ranked Cowgirls finished second on the day with 64 points. They finished behind No. 3 BYU, but defeated No. 2 New Mexico by six points. Rounding out the scorers for the Cowgirls were Victoria Lagat, Gentry Turner and Autumn Michalski, who placed 15^th, 25^th and 30^th, respectively.

On the men's side, the Cowboys placed second as a team behind No. 2 New Mexico 28-44. Denis Kipngetich led the way for the OSU men, placing second with a time of 23:25.4. Brian Musau also finished in the top five as he was fourth with a time of 23:43.0. Rounding out the scorers for the Cowboys were Jacob Deacon, Laban Kipkemboi and Adisu Guadie, who finished seventh, 15^th and 18^th overall.

"The men were good, not great," Smith said. "I thought Denis ran a great race. His game is going out harder, but he did what we asked him to do and stayed back a little bit today to keep our team together. Brian has some work to do… He's not quite ready yet, but he's got five weeks to get better and be ready at the conference meet. I was really happy with Jacob Deacon, he had a big breakthrough this summer and it's carried over to the cross country course. He was our third guy today and it looks like he's running at an All-American level."

Up next, the Cowboys and Cowgirls will host the Weis-Crockett Invitational on Oct. 17 at the Greiner Family OSU Cross Country Course in their last regular season action before hosting the Big 12 Championships on Halloween.

For more information on the Cowboys and Cowgirls, continue to check back with okstate.com.

Men's Race – Team (8K)
1. No. 2 New Mexico – 28 points
2. No. 1 Oklahoma State – 44 points
3. No. 3 Adams State – 112 points
4. Stephen F. Austin – 134 points
5. No. 21 Tulsa – 141 Points

Women's Race – Team (6K)
1. No. 3 BYU – 32 points
2. No. 15 Oklahoma State – 64 points
3. No. 2 New Mexico – 70 points
4. SMU – 124 points
5. Oklahoma – 158 points

Men's Individual (8K)
2. Denis Kipngetich* – 23:25.4
4. Brian Musau* – 23:43.0
7. Jacob Deacon* – 23:47.2
15. Laban Kipkemboi* – 24:10.8
18. Adisu Guadie* – 24.18.3
20. Oliver Patton – 24:23.9
31. Will Conway – 24:41.2
35. Nate Stadtlander – 24:46.6
37. Noah Strohman – 24:48.6
38. Alex Riley – 24:49.4
39. Henry Dover – 24.55.7
44. Keegan Thomas – 25:01.2
45. Charles Barrett – 25:02.5
48. Carter Smith – 25:07.5
58. Daniel Enriquez – 25.22.0
72. Matt Thomas – 25.38.3
85. Hamish Hart – 25:53.6
92. Sinry Mendoza – 25:58.3
109. David Mora – 26:17.4
149. Wilson Schmidt – 27:09.6

Women's Individual (6K)
1. Billah Jepkirui* – 19:24.4
2. Maureen Cherotich* – 19:28.6
15. Victoria Lagat* – 20:35.1
25. Gentry Turner* – 20:55.6
30. Autumn Michalski* – 21:11.9
44. Adelynn Rodriguez – 21:36.0
50. Bella Nelson – 21:47.0
55. Mandeep Sangha – 21:53.1
56. Lauren Ping – 21:54.5
60. Paige Stuart – 22:01.1
62. Kailey Littlefield – 22:05.3
75. Aubrey O'Connell – 22:29.2
79. Kenli Atwood – 22:33.3
84. Payton Hinkle – 22:50.6
87. Kadence Huck – 22:55.5

* = Scored Team Points