Oklahoma College XC Rankings 2026: The Easy Early-Season List

One list. Five programs. No divisions, no subdivisions, no “well, they’re good for NAIA” — we just want to know who’s best. It’s October 1st and the sample sizes are small, so this is a light early-season read, not a final answer. Everything below is backed by a September result; where we’re guessing, we say so.

The Teams

1. Oklahoma State. The defending national champion men lost at home to New Mexico in September, and it doesn’t matter yet — that’s what September is for. The women put two under Katelyn Tuohy’s course record in the same race. Until someone beats them when it counts, they’re the program in the state. Nobody else is close.

2. Oklahoma. The gap between first and second here is enormous, and the gap between second and third is real too. The Sooner women ran fifth at the Jamboree in a field with three top-15 teams, with a true freshman leading the way. The men have a front-runner in Ronald Ngetich and questions after that — but questions at OU look a lot better than answers most places.

3. Oklahoma City. This is the pick that’ll get argued about, and that’s fine. The Stars race NAIA competition most weeks, but Ayenew Devany just won a 257-man race in Missouri that included D1 programs, and Kenzi Readnour’s 21:25.6 is a top-ten NAIA mark nationally. Both cross country teams are defending conference champions. On current form, they’re the best small-school program in the state.

4. Oklahoma Baptist. The Bison won their opener outright, put four in the top ten, and are getting national top-25 votes — the best September in program history by the rankings. They beat Oklahoma Christian head-to-head at Distance After Dark. The Chile Pepper Festival on Oct 3 is their first real test against national competition.

5. Oklahoma Christian. A young team with a clear identity: freshman Ryder Strohman leads the men, senior Brooke Latham leads the women, and both scored well at two September meets. They’re a step behind OBU right now, but Strohman’s debut suggests the future is bright in Edmond.

Ten Individuals to Watch

Billah Jepkirui, Oklahoma State — Won the Jamboree in a course record, running down a two-time NCAA champion to do it. The best runner in the state right now, and it’s not close.

Maureen Rutoh, Oklahoma State — Finished second in the same race, also under the old course record, in a 20+ second personal best. The Cowgirls have the best 1-2 punch in the country.

Denis Kipngetich, Oklahoma State — Second at the Jamboree (23:25.4) behind only New Mexico’s Kitonga. Three-time Midwest Region champion. The steady hand of the Cowboy machine.

Brian Musau, Oklahoma State — Fourth at the Jamboree, three-time Big 12 champion, and the man who ran 12:59.82 for 5,000m on the track — the first collegian ever under 13:00. The most talented runner on this list.

Domtila Cheruto, Oklahoma (FR) — Won her collegiate debut at the Cowboy Preview, then ran 11th at the Jamboree (20:27.3) as the top freshman outside the superpowers. OU’s future is wearing No. 1.

Ronald Ngetich, Oklahoma (SO) — 12th at the Jamboree in 23:56.8, OU’s clear No. 1. If the Sooner men are going anywhere in November, he’s driving.

Ayenew Devany, Oklahoma City (GR) — Won the Gans Creek Black Division 8K in 24:32.5 in his season debut. Defending conference champion. The best small-school man in Oklahoma until someone proves otherwise.

Kenzi Readnour, Oklahoma City (SO) — The Pauls Valley sophomore has two SAC Runner of the Week awards already: third at Distance After Dark (17:57 5K), fourth at Gans Creek (21:25.6 6K, eighth-fastest in the NAIA). The real deal.

Emery Crayton, Oklahoma Baptist (SR) — Fifth at the opener in 20:27.1, leading a Bison team that’s ranked sixth in the region — the highest in program history. The engine of the best OBU team ever.

Ryder Strohman, Oklahoma Christian (FR) — Third in his collegiate debut, then the Eagles’ No. 1 at the Jamboree. Freshmen who lead their team in September tend to be heard from in November.

The fine print

It’s October 1st. OSU hasn’t lost a race that matters, OU’s freshmen are still freshmen, and the small schools haven’t hit their championship races yet. This list will look different in November — that’s the fun of it. We’ll update it when the conference championships roll around.