One of the biggest races of the first half of the season happened the week before last: The Cowboy Jamoree. The race included the top two teams on the men’s side, and the biggest name on the women’s.

Coming in Oklahoma State was No. 1, with New Mexico No. 2. Those two teams finished one and two certainly, but with the order reversed. After the race, Oklahoma st dropped to No. 3 in the USTFCCCA (this may be an unnecessarily long acronym but it’s just rankings submitted and voted on by coaches) poll, and New Mexico rose to No. 1. Iowa State is now No. 2.

New Mexico’s Pasanjo Kitonga beat Oklahoma st’s Denis Kipngetich by 1 second to take the individual win.

On the women’s side, BYU dominated, placing its top 7 runners in the top 12. However, presumed favorite to win the national title Jane Hedengren from BYU was 3rd, losing to two Oklahoma st runners, in Billah Jepkirui by 8 seconds and her teammate Maureen Cherotich by 4 seconds.

BYU Women are ranked 2nd in Division I behind North Carolina State and ahead of New Mexico.

In the top ten of both men’s and women’s polls are New Mexico, BYU, Iowa st, Oklahoma st, Oregon, and Alabama.

Photo by James Lee