Women Earn Highest Ever Finish at Midwest Regionals

Friday, November 13

Ames, Iowa

8 a.m. CT

University of Oklahoma

NCAA Midwest Regionals

November 13, 2026 | Cross Country

AMES, Iowa — The Oklahoma women's cross country team earned its best-ever finish and combined with the men for three All-Region honors at the NCAA Midwest Regional in Ames, Iowa, Friday morning. Freshman Domtila Cheruto and junior Sanae Hassnaoui earned top-10 finishes for the women, both qualifying for the NCAA Cross Country Championships set for Saturday, Nov. 21 in Terre Haute, Ind.

OU's women's team tallied 195 points to finish sixth, their highest finish ever at the regional championship. Cheruto and Hassanoui led the pack the entirety of the race, finishing seventh and ninth, respectively. The next Sooner to cross the line was freshman Sarafina Kibet (35th), followed by Hasnae Goulamzi (48th) and Abby Jepchirchir (96th). In current standings, Cheruto and Hassanoui both qualify to compete at the 2026 NCAA XC National Championships.

The Sooner men totaled 406 points to earn 15th place. Sophomore Ronald Ngetich earned All-Region honors for the second year in a row, finishing the 10K in 29:03.7 for 13th place. Thobias Cheruiyot (43rd) crossed next, while Austin Popplewell (91st) and Hayden Gray (92nd) followed closely behind. Joshua Cherry (176th) rounded out scorers for the men.

The Sooners hope to continue their postseason campaign at the NCAA Cross Country Nationals in Terre Haute, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 21. At-large bids and individual qualifiers will be announced during the NCAA Cross Country selection show airing on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 4 p.m. CT.

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