Meet: NCAA South Central Regional Cross Country Meet
Date: November 14th
Time: Women - 9:00, Men - 10:00
Location: Agri Park Cross Country Course - Fayetteville, Arkansas
Distance: Women 6k, Men 10k
Other Notable Schools: Tulane, Arkansas, LSU, tu, SFA
Live Results: https://flashresults.com/2026_Meets/xc/NCAASC/index.htm
Meet Preview
The time is here. The breeze is a little cooler, the leaves are turning red, and the stakes are so much higher. Every mile ran, every practice, every cool down, every work out, every meet, it all leads to this. NCAA South Central Regionals, where your birth to national meet is on the line.
How does qualification work?
To automatically qualify to nationals as a team, a team must place top two at its regional meet. Placing is finalized by adding the placing of a team's top 5 individuals. The team with the lowest total wins. So first place is given 1 point, second place two and so on. So that's why every runner is important. To qualify as an individual, they take the top 4 individuals that aren't on a top 2 team.
What is NCAA Regionals
There are 9 regions in NCAA Division 1 Cross Country, we are in the South Central Region. Our region consists of schools from Arkansas, LSU, and most of Texas aside from the northwestern part like Tech and UTEP. Any school in the region is eligible to compete. Our region is considered one of the weaker ones as some are heavily stacked. Arkansas has dominated this meet for many years, with tu having strong teams. We're always in the mix, our girls made it 2 years ago and our guys haven't made it in a while, often placing 3rd or 4th.
The Competition…
Women
Like I just mentioned Arkansas has pretty much dominated this meet and in most years they don't even need to run their top runners to win. However, with roster limits, coaching changes, and others recruiting internationally, Arkansas is not as strong as they used to be. On the women's side they will also be without their top runner, one of the nations best; Paityn Noe. She would have been the favorite to win, so that's a huge blow to them. They also lost of talent to the portal. They will be led by Sydney Thorvaldson who figures tk be a top ten runner as well as Josephine Mwuara.
However, if you haven't noticed. Cross country has changed significantly at the collegiate level due to the influx of international talent. Tulane and LSU are prime examples of this. Tulane is led by Kenyan's Dorcas Naibei and Blezzin Kimutai. Kimutai was 3rd last year, they had another Kenyan place 2nd last year at this meet but she was actually suspended in her home country, but Tulane allowed her to run in the NCAA. They will be carried by those two who will most likely finish in the top ten. We must have a few top ten top 15 finishes to offset them and we'll need our 4th and 5th runners to really separate from theirs.
Another school carried by international runners is LSU. LSU had two runners best our top two at SEC's in Edna Chepkemoi and Yuya Sawada. They had another runner Abigael Chemnagei who is strong. They are carried by those 3 but also have a strong 4th and 5th in Ella Chesnut Micaela Villarreal. Chesnut ran the race of her life at this meet last year. Just like with Tulane we'll need some runners near the top to mitigate the low scoring they'll do up there with their 3 international runners.
Tu is a wildcard. They ran well in this race last year. They do return 1 top ten finisher in Elizabeth Pickett, however after her it drops off. The projected leader of the field is Elizabeth Khatevi of TAMU-CC. She has two strong teammates in Phylis Kibet and Alicia Hy-Finnis. SFA also has a strong trio of Valentine Jemutai, Sharon Boyani Omwoyo, and Mercy Kipchumba. However their teams fall a bit after their top 3. Indivudally, other people who will be in the mix are SMU's Rose Mburu, UTA's Matro Jepkemboi and Dorcas Jepkosgei, and Rice's Daphne Mayer to name a few.
Men
The competition on the men's side is highlighted by Arkansas and their strong international presence. They are led by 4 Kenyans and one guy from the Woodlands lol. Their top runner is Timothy Chesondin who placed runner up at this meet last year. They also have Brian Masai, James Sankei, Owan Logordi, and Ben Shearer. Logorodi struggled to finish and fell way back at SEC's and took them out of the title race. Sankei finished 30th at conference behind 2 Aggies. But Chesondin, Masai, and Shearer placed 3rd, 10th, and 12th. They will be strong, but anything can happen in a 10k race and they don't have depth whatsoever. If Logorodi struggles again, this meet will be wide open. We'll need our top guys to run near their top runners.
Just like on the women's side, Tulane has strong international runners as well. They are led by one of the regions best in Bernard Cheryuiot who was 6th at this meet last year. They also return Illia Kunin who placed 10th at this meet last year. However, they added a Kenyan in Silas Kiptanui who projects to be in the top ten as well. However, they do drop a little after that. So to beat them we'll need to have a couple guys run with their top guys and separate from their 4th and 5th runners. We'll need to have a short gap between 1 and 5.
Other dark horse teams will be tu, although we did beat them in conference even after a not great day according to our coach. They have a strong top runner in Nathanael Berhane who we can't let beat us like he did at conference. They have some talented young runners, but not enough to compete at the top. However, we must stay cognizant of them and stay ahead. They like to run in a pack. Stephen F Austin is a dark horse team with loads of talent. They are lead by Nathan Kapel who transferred over from Texas Tech, Riley Elliot, and Paul Kiprotich. However they lack depth, along with other teams like TAMU-CC, UIW, TCU and others who are very top heavy. Indivudally most of the top runners will be from Arkansas, Tulane, us and SFA.
The Aggies
Women
Our ladies are in this, they have a shot, but it won't come easy. We have the talent up top and some amazing depth to compete. However we have to run a great tactical race and we must give ourselves a chance up top. This will be such a close competition. 2 years ago it was us jumping with glee as tears of joy ran down our faces. 1 year ago it was shock and disappointment. This race between Arkansas, LSU, Tulane, and us will be brutal, but that's what makes this sport so amazing.
The past few meets we've had 3 runners run extremely well and finish as our top 3. Joyce Kemboi, Debora Cherono, and Megan Roberts. Last time out at conference, Kemboi placed 16th at conference with Cherono right behind her in 17th. Roberts placed 28th. Two LSU girls beat us by a couple seconds and LSU's 3rd best Roberts by a second. So we will be in striking distance of one another. We're going to really need Kemboi and Cherono, and even Roberts to finish around the top ten. Last year we had no one in the top 20 and that took us out of the running. It's a must you have a top ten runner or multiple to give you a chance. Khatevi of Corpus will take it out fast, a few may go with her, but we can't let so many get ahead.
All 3 of our girls can stay towards the top. Tulane and LSU will have multiple girls in or around the top ten and we must get in the mix to give ourselves a shot. Sophia Bendet has been a strong 4th runner for us this season and as a freshman she's slowly gotten a feel for collegiate racing. She's big time. I think she rises to the occasion here and really gives us a huge boost in this meet! She's talented and capable enough. Our 5th runner has been a mix of SJ Leal, Elise Smoot, Staucie Lees, Alexandra Fox, and Ava Cole. One of these girls or multiple may determine how this meet goes. We'll need one of them to run the heat race of their life. Leal has the talent and I believe if fully healthy, she can really go fast and maintain. Hopefully the 2 weeks since conference has done her good. Elise Smoot has the most experience racing and is a big time performer. Or will it be one of our young freshman stepping up. Either way, every single runner will be absolutely valuable to us. We won't know which 7 are racing till it begins, but I have faith in all of them.
Unfortunately Kennady Fontenot nor Emma Little are on the start list. Both were on the 2023 team that qualified to nationals and both integral parts. Fontenot had a huge track season getting all the way to Eugene and I truly believe she was going to carry that momentum into cross country. Having her in the lineup would have given us a huge boost for our team chances because at her best she right there with our top girls fighting for a top ten spot. I don't know the severity of their injuries but I hope they're okay and can get well soon!
Men
Our men are in a similar position, but the competition is probably with one less school. Arkansas seems to be the favorite with their elite talent at the top. They have one of the favorites to win it and to have multiple in the top ten. Tulane is top heavy, but don't have the depth Arkansas has. Depth is our key. However, a bigger key will be us getting 2 or 3 guys in the top 15. We'll really need to see Jack Johnston, Cooper Cawthra, Victor Kibiego, and Youssef Asslouj fight to get into the top 20, but I wouldn't count Carter Gordy out as well.
A big thing to consider is that the men's race goes to 10k. Most of the meets this year have been 8k's. The men only race the 10k at regionals only. So it'll be a longer race by about 7-8 minutes. We'll see how we adjust versus how other teams adjust. Maybe we'll have guys perform better or maybe the extra distance is too much. I really think the extra distance can help guys like Jack Johnston and Carter Gordy. Victor Kibiego has experience and has ran extremely well at the 10k cross country distance. Cooper Cawthra, Luca Santorum, and Youssef Asslouj are 1500/milers at heart, so we'll see how their training has them for a 10k.
One thing they have is heart and a competitive drive we've seen. A lot of this race is mental and heart. A 10k sucks and you'll see many thrown on the ground past the finish line. It's how bad do you want it and how much are you willing to give for the guy next to you. We're gonna see Chesondin, Cheryiout, Kapel, and. Some take it out extremely fast. I think girls race has more talent at the top than the men. The man will have a short pack try to breakaway, but we need to be right behind them. We can't let the majority of Arkansas or Tulane's team get so ahead. We must stay near and be weary of where we're standing. If through the checkpoints we have 5 or 6 guys around the top 20, we'll be great.
Since it's a 10k, there will be some damage and there will be some fading. I think we have a better 7 than Arkansas and Tulane has. They may be stronger up top, but we have the better depth. Now this sport and especially in a race like this, winning is determined by where the gaps are. Will our top 3 be so separated from the other top 3's? How far will our 4 and 5 be from our top guys? Will our 5th dominate Arkansas and Tulane's 5th runner. So many questions, but they'll be answered soon! I can't wait!
Conclusion / Motivational Time
Rankings be damned, PR's be damned, history be damned. When that gun goes off there is nothing else that matters than how bad do you want it. How much are you willing to give for the guy you train with everyday. Every workout you've done this season. Those summer mornings when you forced yourself to get out of bed, that school night you had to stop studying because you had practice in a few hours, when you had to leave your friends ring dunk a little early for practice in the morning, you sacrificed so much for this moment. You've endured pain, injuries, hurt, what's 20/29 minute more of pain. What hurts more, the pain of losing or the pain of physical pain. You're going to hurt anyways, might as well hurt while having confetti falling on you and having to pose for pictures.
Rooting for this team has been a blast, but I'm not ready to cheer for 2 more days. Give me a week and a half. I think Friday can be a really special day. We'll some athletes etch their name into Aggie cross country history, we'll see our Ags do something special. They have the athletes, they have the talent, now it's just about getting it done. I'll be watching the live results without blinking the entire race. I'll keep everyone updated and hopefully we'll all witness some history! I believe. BTHO the entire South Central Region!!
Date: November 14th
Time: Women - 9:00, Men - 10:00
Location: Agri Park Cross Country Course - Fayetteville, Arkansas
Distance: Women 6k, Men 10k
Other Notable Schools: Tulane, Arkansas, LSU, tu, SFA
Live Results: https://flashresults.com/2026_Meets/xc/NCAASC/index.htm
Meet Preview
The time is here. The breeze is a little cooler, the leaves are turning red, and the stakes are so much higher. Every mile ran, every practice, every cool down, every work out, every meet, it all leads to this. NCAA South Central Regionals, where your birth to national meet is on the line.
How does qualification work?
To automatically qualify to nationals as a team, a team must place top two at its regional meet. Placing is finalized by adding the placing of a team's top 5 individuals. The team with the lowest total wins. So first place is given 1 point, second place two and so on. So that's why every runner is important. To qualify as an individual, they take the top 4 individuals that aren't on a top 2 team.
What is NCAA Regionals
There are 9 regions in NCAA Division 1 Cross Country, we are in the South Central Region. Our region consists of schools from Arkansas, LSU, and most of Texas aside from the northwestern part like Tech and UTEP. Any school in the region is eligible to compete. Our region is considered one of the weaker ones as some are heavily stacked. Arkansas has dominated this meet for many years, with tu having strong teams. We're always in the mix, our girls made it 2 years ago and our guys haven't made it in a while, often placing 3rd or 4th.
The Competition…
Women
Like I just mentioned Arkansas has pretty much dominated this meet and in most years they don't even need to run their top runners to win. However, with roster limits, coaching changes, and others recruiting internationally, Arkansas is not as strong as they used to be. On the women's side they will also be without their top runner, one of the nations best; Paityn Noe. She would have been the favorite to win, so that's a huge blow to them. They also lost of talent to the portal. They will be led by Sydney Thorvaldson who figures tk be a top ten runner as well as Josephine Mwuara.
However, if you haven't noticed. Cross country has changed significantly at the collegiate level due to the influx of international talent. Tulane and LSU are prime examples of this. Tulane is led by Kenyan's Dorcas Naibei and Blezzin Kimutai. Kimutai was 3rd last year, they had another Kenyan place 2nd last year at this meet but she was actually suspended in her home country, but Tulane allowed her to run in the NCAA. They will be carried by those two who will most likely finish in the top ten. We must have a few top ten top 15 finishes to offset them and we'll need our 4th and 5th runners to really separate from theirs.
Another school carried by international runners is LSU. LSU had two runners best our top two at SEC's in Edna Chepkemoi and Yuya Sawada. They had another runner Abigael Chemnagei who is strong. They are carried by those 3 but also have a strong 4th and 5th in Ella Chesnut Micaela Villarreal. Chesnut ran the race of her life at this meet last year. Just like with Tulane we'll need some runners near the top to mitigate the low scoring they'll do up there with their 3 international runners.
Tu is a wildcard. They ran well in this race last year. They do return 1 top ten finisher in Elizabeth Pickett, however after her it drops off. The projected leader of the field is Elizabeth Khatevi of TAMU-CC. She has two strong teammates in Phylis Kibet and Alicia Hy-Finnis. SFA also has a strong trio of Valentine Jemutai, Sharon Boyani Omwoyo, and Mercy Kipchumba. However their teams fall a bit after their top 3. Indivudally, other people who will be in the mix are SMU's Rose Mburu, UTA's Matro Jepkemboi and Dorcas Jepkosgei, and Rice's Daphne Mayer to name a few.
Men
The competition on the men's side is highlighted by Arkansas and their strong international presence. They are led by 4 Kenyans and one guy from the Woodlands lol. Their top runner is Timothy Chesondin who placed runner up at this meet last year. They also have Brian Masai, James Sankei, Owan Logordi, and Ben Shearer. Logorodi struggled to finish and fell way back at SEC's and took them out of the title race. Sankei finished 30th at conference behind 2 Aggies. But Chesondin, Masai, and Shearer placed 3rd, 10th, and 12th. They will be strong, but anything can happen in a 10k race and they don't have depth whatsoever. If Logorodi struggles again, this meet will be wide open. We'll need our top guys to run near their top runners.
Just like on the women's side, Tulane has strong international runners as well. They are led by one of the regions best in Bernard Cheryuiot who was 6th at this meet last year. They also return Illia Kunin who placed 10th at this meet last year. However, they added a Kenyan in Silas Kiptanui who projects to be in the top ten as well. However, they do drop a little after that. So to beat them we'll need to have a couple guys run with their top guys and separate from their 4th and 5th runners. We'll need to have a short gap between 1 and 5.
Other dark horse teams will be tu, although we did beat them in conference even after a not great day according to our coach. They have a strong top runner in Nathanael Berhane who we can't let beat us like he did at conference. They have some talented young runners, but not enough to compete at the top. However, we must stay cognizant of them and stay ahead. They like to run in a pack. Stephen F Austin is a dark horse team with loads of talent. They are lead by Nathan Kapel who transferred over from Texas Tech, Riley Elliot, and Paul Kiprotich. However they lack depth, along with other teams like TAMU-CC, UIW, TCU and others who are very top heavy. Indivudally most of the top runners will be from Arkansas, Tulane, us and SFA.
The Aggies
Women
Our ladies are in this, they have a shot, but it won't come easy. We have the talent up top and some amazing depth to compete. However we have to run a great tactical race and we must give ourselves a chance up top. This will be such a close competition. 2 years ago it was us jumping with glee as tears of joy ran down our faces. 1 year ago it was shock and disappointment. This race between Arkansas, LSU, Tulane, and us will be brutal, but that's what makes this sport so amazing.
The past few meets we've had 3 runners run extremely well and finish as our top 3. Joyce Kemboi, Debora Cherono, and Megan Roberts. Last time out at conference, Kemboi placed 16th at conference with Cherono right behind her in 17th. Roberts placed 28th. Two LSU girls beat us by a couple seconds and LSU's 3rd best Roberts by a second. So we will be in striking distance of one another. We're going to really need Kemboi and Cherono, and even Roberts to finish around the top ten. Last year we had no one in the top 20 and that took us out of the running. It's a must you have a top ten runner or multiple to give you a chance. Khatevi of Corpus will take it out fast, a few may go with her, but we can't let so many get ahead.
All 3 of our girls can stay towards the top. Tulane and LSU will have multiple girls in or around the top ten and we must get in the mix to give ourselves a shot. Sophia Bendet has been a strong 4th runner for us this season and as a freshman she's slowly gotten a feel for collegiate racing. She's big time. I think she rises to the occasion here and really gives us a huge boost in this meet! She's talented and capable enough. Our 5th runner has been a mix of SJ Leal, Elise Smoot, Staucie Lees, Alexandra Fox, and Ava Cole. One of these girls or multiple may determine how this meet goes. We'll need one of them to run the heat race of their life. Leal has the talent and I believe if fully healthy, she can really go fast and maintain. Hopefully the 2 weeks since conference has done her good. Elise Smoot has the most experience racing and is a big time performer. Or will it be one of our young freshman stepping up. Either way, every single runner will be absolutely valuable to us. We won't know which 7 are racing till it begins, but I have faith in all of them.
Unfortunately Kennady Fontenot nor Emma Little are on the start list. Both were on the 2023 team that qualified to nationals and both integral parts. Fontenot had a huge track season getting all the way to Eugene and I truly believe she was going to carry that momentum into cross country. Having her in the lineup would have given us a huge boost for our team chances because at her best she right there with our top girls fighting for a top ten spot. I don't know the severity of their injuries but I hope they're okay and can get well soon!
Men
Our men are in a similar position, but the competition is probably with one less school. Arkansas seems to be the favorite with their elite talent at the top. They have one of the favorites to win it and to have multiple in the top ten. Tulane is top heavy, but don't have the depth Arkansas has. Depth is our key. However, a bigger key will be us getting 2 or 3 guys in the top 15. We'll really need to see Jack Johnston, Cooper Cawthra, Victor Kibiego, and Youssef Asslouj fight to get into the top 20, but I wouldn't count Carter Gordy out as well.
A big thing to consider is that the men's race goes to 10k. Most of the meets this year have been 8k's. The men only race the 10k at regionals only. So it'll be a longer race by about 7-8 minutes. We'll see how we adjust versus how other teams adjust. Maybe we'll have guys perform better or maybe the extra distance is too much. I really think the extra distance can help guys like Jack Johnston and Carter Gordy. Victor Kibiego has experience and has ran extremely well at the 10k cross country distance. Cooper Cawthra, Luca Santorum, and Youssef Asslouj are 1500/milers at heart, so we'll see how their training has them for a 10k.
One thing they have is heart and a competitive drive we've seen. A lot of this race is mental and heart. A 10k sucks and you'll see many thrown on the ground past the finish line. It's how bad do you want it and how much are you willing to give for the guy next to you. We're gonna see Chesondin, Cheryiout, Kapel, and. Some take it out extremely fast. I think girls race has more talent at the top than the men. The man will have a short pack try to breakaway, but we need to be right behind them. We can't let the majority of Arkansas or Tulane's team get so ahead. We must stay near and be weary of where we're standing. If through the checkpoints we have 5 or 6 guys around the top 20, we'll be great.
Since it's a 10k, there will be some damage and there will be some fading. I think we have a better 7 than Arkansas and Tulane has. They may be stronger up top, but we have the better depth. Now this sport and especially in a race like this, winning is determined by where the gaps are. Will our top 3 be so separated from the other top 3's? How far will our 4 and 5 be from our top guys? Will our 5th dominate Arkansas and Tulane's 5th runner. So many questions, but they'll be answered soon! I can't wait!
Conclusion / Motivational Time
Rankings be damned, PR's be damned, history be damned. When that gun goes off there is nothing else that matters than how bad do you want it. How much are you willing to give for the guy you train with everyday. Every workout you've done this season. Those summer mornings when you forced yourself to get out of bed, that school night you had to stop studying because you had practice in a few hours, when you had to leave your friends ring dunk a little early for practice in the morning, you sacrificed so much for this moment. You've endured pain, injuries, hurt, what's 20/29 minute more of pain. What hurts more, the pain of losing or the pain of physical pain. You're going to hurt anyways, might as well hurt while having confetti falling on you and having to pose for pictures.
Rooting for this team has been a blast, but I'm not ready to cheer for 2 more days. Give me a week and a half. I think Friday can be a really special day. We'll some athletes etch their name into Aggie cross country history, we'll see our Ags do something special. They have the athletes, they have the talent, now it's just about getting it done. I'll be watching the live results without blinking the entire race. I'll keep everyone updated and hopefully we'll all witness some history! I believe. BTHO the entire South Central Region!!
