The Tulane University men’s cross country team finished the 2025 season with a national ranking of 21st, as per the final poll released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) after the NCAA Cross Country Championships. The Green Wave maintained a strong national presence throughout the season, featuring in all eight rankings, which included six regular-season listings, a preseason ranking, and the final postseason poll.
2025 NCAA Championships and Key Performances
On November 22, the Green Wave secured 21st place at the NCAA Championships, amassing a total of 536 points. Bernard Cheruiyot led the team with an impressive 29th overall finish, completing the 10K in 28:59.3. His performance not only earned him All-American honors but also marked him as Tulane’s first-ever male All-American in cross country.
This accolade was Cheruiyot’s second All-American award, having previously achieved it in the outdoor 10,000-meter race. His teammate, Silas Kiptanui, also showcased a strong run, finishing 47th with a time of 29:11.6. Other significant finishes included:
- Illia Kunin – 154th place (29:59.3)
- Gilberto Rono – 206th place (30:32.6)
- Tommy Rice – 214th place (30:36.9)
- Rogerio Amaral – 225th place (30:49.7)
- Zach Van Houten – 228th place (30:53.5)
Historic Victory at NCAA South Central Regional
Earlier in the season, on November 14, Tulane made history by winning the NCAA South Central Regional Championship at Argi Park, marking the first victory in the program’s history. This achievement earned them an automatic entry into the NCAA Championships. The team demonstrated remarkable depth, with all seven runners finishing within the top 25, thus receiving All-Regional accolades.
Tulane secured an impressive total of 44 points with an average finish time of 29:41.40, surpassing regional competitors such as Arkansas, Texas A&M, and Texas. Key performances in this championship included:
- Bernard Cheruiyot – 2nd place (28:51.3)
- Silas Kiptanui – 3rd place (29:11.2)
- Gilberto Rono – 11th place (30:01.4)
- Rogerio Amaral – 12th place (30:04.3)
- Illia Kunin – 16th place (30:20.2)
- Zach Van Houten – 21st place (30:29.7)
- Tommy Rice – 24th place (30:40.9)
All five runners mentioned above were honored with All-Regional awards for their stellar performances. Tulane finished second in the American Conference, with all seven runners landing in the top 21 and five receiving All-Conference distinctions: Cheruiyot (2nd), Kiptanui (4th), Kunin (7th), Rice (13th), and Amaral (15th).
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