Samuel wins NCAA men’s cross country title; men’s and women’s teams both finish in top four
Habtom Samuel is an NCAA men’s cross country champion at last. After two consecutive second-place finishes in this event, Samuel destroyed the field to win the 2025 NCAA men’s cross country championship Saturday in Columbia, MO. His performance was part of a strong effort by the Lobo men’s and women’s cross country teams, as both squads earned top four finishes.Samuel’s time of 28:33.9 was more than four seconds faster than Rocky Hansen from Wake Forest, who had a time of 28:38.0. UNM’s Collins Kiprotich finished eighth with a time of 28:45.7.The UNM men’s cross country team finished second overall. It’s the Lobos’ best team performance at the NCAA men’s cross country championships.UNM’s women’s team also had an impressive showing in Missouri. The ladies finished fourth overall. Pamela Kosgei led the way for the Lobos, as her time of 19:02.8 was good enough for 17th overall in the women’s 6k run.The Lobos were the only school to place both teams in the top four. Five Lobos also earned All-American honors – Kosgei on the ladies side, while Samuel, Kiprotich, Evans Kiplagat and Vincent Chirchir led the way for the men.
Habtom Samuel is an NCAA men’s cross country champion at last. After two consecutive second-place finishes in this event, Samuel destroyed the field to win the 2025 NCAA men’s cross country championship Saturday in Columbia, MO.
His performance was part of a strong effort by the Lobo men’s and women’s cross country teams, as both squads earned top four finishes.
Samuel’s time of 28:33.9 was more than four seconds faster than Rocky Hansen from Wake Forest, who had a time of 28:38.0. UNM’s Collins Kiprotich finished eighth with a time of 28:45.7.
The UNM men’s cross country team finished second overall. It’s the Lobos’ best team performance at the NCAA men’s cross country championships.
UNM’s women’s team also had an impressive showing in Missouri. The ladies finished fourth overall. Pamela Kosgei led the way for the Lobos, as her time of 19:02.8 was good enough for 17th overall in the women’s 6k run.
The Lobos were the only school to place both teams in the top four. Five Lobos also earned All-American honors – Kosgei on the ladies side, while Samuel, Kiprotich, Evans Kiplagat and Vincent Chirchir led the way for the men.