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BYU's Jane Hedengren (center) races in the NCAA Women's Cross Country Finals at Columbia, Mo., on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025.

Courtesy BYU Athletics

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BYU's Tayvon Kitchen (in blue) takes the lead in the NCAA Men's Cross Country Finals at Columbia, Mo., on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2025.

Courtesy BYU Athletics

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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Behind Jane Hedengren’s runner-up finish, BYU women’s cross country team took second at the NCAA Championship at Gans Creek Cross Country Course on Saturday morning.

BYU has finished in the top two in four of the last six national championship races.

The Provo, Utah product crossed in 18:38.90, which would have broken the previous NCAA championship record set by Florida’s Parker Valby in 2023. Hedengren earned the best individual finish for the Cougars since Whittni Orton’s individual title in 2021.

The freshman led through 2,000 meters. Alabama’s Doris Lemngole reeled her in, and the two stayed neck and neck through 5,000 meters before the 2024 individual champion pulled ahead, eventually finishing 13 seconds in front of Hedengren to repeat as champion.

“I am proud of my efforts today,” Hedengren said. “I wanted to put myself out there and be proud of that effort. I think I executed that plan very well. I was hoping with putting my best self out there today that I would have a chance at the win. Today, for me, I felt like that meant going out, setting the pace and trying to pull myself and others through a fast race. It was an awesome fight with Doris today.”

Riley Chamberlain was the Cougars’ second runner, taking fourth place. The finish shattered her previous 6000m best by more than 20 seconds. Alongside Hedengren, Chamberlain earned All-America honors, becoming the 20th and 21st All-Americans coached by Diljeet Taylor.

The team finished with 130 points, 17 points fewer than last year’s national title total. The Cougars were 16 points behind champion NC State and 23 points ahead of third-place Oregon. New Mexico and Florida rounded out the top five with 216 and 225 points.

Nelah Roberts and Taylor Rohatinsky were BYU’s third and fourth runners, placing 41st and 47th. Both set personal bests, with Roberts finishing in 19:22.90 and Rohatinsky in 19:29.80.

Taylor Lovell placed 55th in 19:35.40. Senior Carmen Alder and freshman Zariel Macchia also lined up for BYU. Macchia set a personal best as well, lowering her previous mark by three seconds.

“What an exciting atmosphere watching the NCAA Championships and watching our student-athletes at their very best,” BYU athletic director Brian Santiago said. “Our cross country programs are elite, and watching our women compete against the best in the country and come away as the national runner-up was incredible. When you unite extraordinary coaches with phenomenal athletes, great things happen.”

Men’s cross county just misses out on top 10 finish

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Led by Freshman Tayvon Kitchen the Cougars finished 11th with 336 points Saturday morning.

In their 28th straight NCAA National Championship appearance, the Cougars entered the race ranked No. 8 in the latest USTFCCCA poll, trailing Big 12 rivals Oklahoma State (1), Iowa State (2), and Colorado (7).

Finishing just behind Colorado the Cougars took 11th overall with 336 points.

“How about Tayvon Kitchen?” head coach Ed Eyestone said, “Leading the pack through the first 5k. I think he got some valuable experience.”

Kitchen finished 32nd overall earning him All-American status in his first collegiate championship race. He crossed the line in 29:01.5 after leading the race through the 5,000-meter mark posting a 14:25.3 split halfway through the race.

Noah Jenkins finished 43rd just seven seconds behind Kitchen at 29:08.5. James Corrigan came in at 29:33.2 at 94th with Davin Thompson right behind him at 99th in a time of 29:34.2. Max Davis rounded out the top five for the Cougars coming in at 141th with a time of 29:53.8.

Jacob Stanford and Luke Grundvig also raced coming in 179th and 188th respectively in times of 30:16.4 and 30:23.2.

“I was hoping our younger guys could get some experience and our older guys could hold their heads high and give it their best shot.” Eyestone said, “We finished 11th, just a few spots off of where we were ranked but I’m proud of the way our guys went out. Shout out to Tayvon on earning his All-American honors and Noah for finishing just a few spots off of All-American.”