Tulane Men’s Cross Country Team Finishes 2025 Season Ranked No. 21 Nationally

In a remarkable conclusion to the 2025 season, the Tulane University men’s cross country team has achieved national recognition by earning a No. 21 ranking in the final poll released by the US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The Green Wave performed consistently well throughout the season and maintained their positions in all eight polls, including six regular season rankings and one preseason slot.

The NCAA Cross Country Championships held on November 22 was a significant moment for the team, as they finished 21st with a total of 536 points. Leading the way for Tulane was Bernard Cheruiyot, who not only finished 29th overall with an impressive 10K time of 28:59.3, but also earned All-American honors for the first time in his cross country career. This accolade made him the program’s first men’s All-American in cross country, adding to his prior distinction as an All-American in the previous season’s outdoor 10,000 meter race.

Silas Kiptanui further strengthened the team’s efforts with a strong performance and finished 47th with a time of 29:11.6. Other notable contributions came from Ilya 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 marks the second consecutive time the Tulane men’s team has qualified for the NCAA Championships, having finished 28th last season. On November 14, the team made history by winning the NCAA South Central Regional Championship at Argy Park, an unprecedented accomplishment for the program. They secured an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships with a dominant performance, finishing with a total of 44 points and an average team time of 29:41.40, sweeping past traditional powerhouses such as Arkansas, Texas A&M and Texas.

Cheruiyot’s remarkable performance at the regional competition saw him place second with a time of 28:51.3, and Kiptanui placed third with a time of 29:11.2, with both men earning All-Area honors. Supporting teammates 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) also earned All-Area recognition.

As the season ended, Tulane’s men not only demonstrated excellent depth, but finished second in the American Conference, with all seven runners finishing in the top 21. The performances cemented the credentials of five individuals as all-conference selections, with Cheruiyot (second), Kiptanui (fourth), Kunin (seventh), Rice (13th), and Amaral (15th) representing the team’s strength.

Located in the vibrant city of New Orleans, Tulane University prides itself on the resiliency and tradition inherent in its student-athletes. The Green Wave’s journey reflects the spirit of the city, which produces leaders and champions in a variety of fields while fostering a strong athletic program. The university continues to celebrate its unique identity, uniting under the banner of NOLA Build, while emphasizing the deep connections built between athletes and their community.