Tulane Men’s Cross Country Team Ends Season Ranked No. 21 Nationally

New Orleans, LA – The Tulane University men’s cross country team finished the 2025 season ranked No. 21 nationally, as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) in the final poll released after the NCAA Cross Country Championships on November 22.

The Green Wave maintained a strong national presence throughout the season, appearing in all eight polls, which included six regular-season rankings and a preseason ranking. At the NCAA Championships, Tulane secured 21st place with a total of 536 points.

Leading the team was Bernard Cheruiyot, who placed 29th overall with a time of 28:59.3 in the 10K. His top-40 finish earned him All-American honors for the first time, making him the program’s first-ever male All-American in cross country. This marks Cheruiyot’s second All-American accolade, having previously earned the honor in last season’s outdoor 10,000-meter race.

Another strong performance came from Silas Kiptanui, who finished 47th with a time of 29:11.6. Other notable finishes included Illia Kunin (154th, 29:59.3), Gilberto Rono (206th, 30:32.6), Tommy Rice (214th, 30:36.9), Rogerio Amaral (225th, 30:49.7), and Zach Van Houten (228th, 30:53.5).

This year marked Tulane’s second consecutive qualification for the NCAA Championships, following a 28th-place finish last season. On November 14, Tulane made history by winning the NCAA South Central Regional Championship at Argi Park for the first time. The men’s team demonstrated exceptional depth, with all seven runners finishing in the top 25 and earning All-Regional honors. They totaled 44 points, averaging a time of 29:41.40, outperforming regional rivals such as Arkansas, Texas A&M, and Texas.

Cheruiyot finished second at the regional event with a time of 28:51.3, while Kiptanui secured third in 29:11.2, both earning All-Regional accolades. Other significant contributors included Rono (11th, 30:01.4), Amaral (12th, 30:04.3), Kunin (16th, 30:20.2), Van Houten (21st, 30:29.7), and Rice (24th, 30:40.9).

Tulane’s men’s team finished second in the American Conference, with all seven runners placing in the top 21, leading to five All-Conference selections: Cheruiyot (2nd), Kiptanui (4th), Kunin (7th), Rice (13th), and Amaral (15th).

Tulane University, located in New Orleans, is proud of its student-athletes who embody the city’s spirit. The Green Wave continues to support its athletes and celebrate individual and team achievements as part of the NOLA BUILT identity.