Men’s Cross Country Climbs to 10 in USTFCCCA Poll as Women Cross Country Holds at 14
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | Cross Country
The men jump 11 spots to number 10 comes after a second place finish at the John McNichols Invitational
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In the latest USTFCCCA poll that released on Tuesday, the Florida Gators Men's Cross Country team jumped 11 spots to 10th, as the Women's Cross Country held steady at 14.
On the men's side, they earned a second place finished with 119 points, as they were led by sophomore Kelvin Cheruiyot, who finished first overall with a time 23:20.7. The second place finish helped the Gators, who were ranked at 21 going into the weekend, outdo multiple ranked teams, including No. 7 Northern Arizona, No. 10 Wisconsin, No. 11 Washington State, No. 12 Eastern Kentucky, No. 16 Butler, No, 17 Michigan State, No. 19 Harvard, No. 20 Georgia.
The Gator women finished with a team finish of fifth place with 156 points, as they were led by Judy and Desma Chepkoech. Judy Chepkoech third overall and first for the Gators in her first race of the season with a time of 19:30.8, a time that was two seconds off of the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course's record. Desma Chepkoech, also in her first race of the season finished shortly behind her sister in fifth place with a time of 19:53.5.
The Gators return to action on October 9th, as they head to Madison, Wis. for the Nuttycombe Invitational.
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On the men's side, they earned a second place finished with 119 points, as they were led by sophomore Kelvin Cheruiyot, who finished first overall with a time 23:20.7. The second place finish helped the Gators, who were ranked at 21 going into the weekend, outdo multiple ranked teams, including No. 7 Northern Arizona, No. 10 Wisconsin, No. 11 Washington State, No. 12 Eastern Kentucky, No. 16 Butler, No, 17 Michigan State, No. 19 Harvard, No. 20 Georgia.
The Gator women finished with a team finish of fifth place with 156 points, as they were led by Judy and Desma Chepkoech. Judy Chepkoech third overall and first for the Gators in her first race of the season with a time of 19:30.8, a time that was two seconds off of the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course's record. Desma Chepkoech, also in her first race of the season finished shortly behind her sister in fifth place with a time of 19:53.5.
The Gators return to action on October 9th, as they head to Madison, Wis. for the Nuttycombe Invitational.
FOLLOW THE GATORS
Instagram: @GatorsTF
X: @GatorsTF
#GoGators
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