Two Top-15 Finishes Highlight Conference Championship

Friday, October 30

Columbia, Mo.

8 a.m. CT

University of Oklahoma

SEC Cross Country Championships

October 30, 2026 | Cross Country

Results

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Oklahoma women's and men's cross country teams finished their postseason debut Friday morning at the 2026 SEC Cross Country Championships in Columbia, Mo. The women earned seventh place, highlighted by freshman Domtila Cheruto's 13th-place finish and junior Sanae Hassnaoui's 15th-place finish.

The women scored 195 points to secure their highest team finish as a member of the SEC and best at a conference meet since 2022. The Sooners posted seven personal-best times among their eight runners. Cheruto crossed first for the Oklahoma women (19:17.2), followed closely behind by Hassnaoui (19:19.4). Next to cross for the Sooners was freshman Sarafina Kibet (20:12.1), followed by juniors Hasnae Goulamzi (20:40.8) and Abby Jepchirchir (20:49.2). Two other Sooners posted personal bests, in junior Mary Van Dyke (21:40.4) and junior Lily Baker (22:53.0).

The Oklahoma men raced an 8K shortly after the women, finishing 11th with 271 points. Sophomore Ronald Ngetich paced the Sooner men, crossing the line in 23:11.4 for 24th place. Junior Thobias Cheruiyot came next (23:35.4), followed by Hayden Gray (24:38.9) and Austin Popplewell (24:41.1). Joshua Cherry rounded out the scorers, crossing in 25:43.7.

Next, the Sooners will travel to Ames, Iowa, for the NCAA Midwest Regionals on Friday, Nov. 13. Teams and individuals with qualifying times at regionals will advance to the 2026 NCAA XC Championships in Terre Haute, Ind, on Saturday, Nov. 21.

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