Award History
NJCAA DI XC National Awards2025 NJCAA Division I Cross Country National Awards
National Women's Athlete of the Year
Mildred Rono was named the 2025 NJCAA DI Women’s Cross Country National Athlete of the Year. Rono, who hails from Iten, Kenya, captured the individual title at the 2025 NJCAA DI Cross Country Championships this past weekend in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The Hutchinson (Kan.) CC star crossed the finish line in 17:11.1, more than 41 seconds faster than the runner-up for the race’s largest winning margin since 2005. Rono four of the five meets in which she competed this season, with her only loss coming by 1.1 seconds.
National Men's Athlete of the Year
Cornelius Kogo was named the 2025 NJCAA DI Men’s Cross Country National Athlete of the Year. Kogo, who hails from Eldoret, Kenya, captured the individual title at the 2025 NJCAA DI Cross Country Championships this past weekend in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The Hutchinson (Kan.) CC star crossed the finish line in 24:54.7, more than eight seconds faster than runner-up (and teammate) Titus Kiprotich. Kogo won three of the five meets in which he competed this season, only once losing to another athlete from a two-year program.
National Men's Coach of the Year
Dee Brown was named the 2025 NJCAA DI Men’s Cross Country National Coach of the Year. Brown coached Iowa Central CC to the team title at the 2025 NJCAA DI Cross Country Championships this past weekend in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Led by the 3-4 finish of Chakib Cherkaoui Rhazouani and Saad Rifi Loutfi, the Tritons scored 58 points with all five scorers finishing before any team had four. Earlier this season, Iowa Central was team runner-up in the Region 11 Championships and won the Iowa Hawkeye Invitational.
National Women's Coach of the Year
Chris Beene was named the 2025 NJCAA DI Women’s Cross Country National Coach of the Year. Beene coached Odessa (Texas) to the team title at the 2025 NJCAA DI Cross Country Championships this past weekend in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Led by the 3-4 finish of Milicent Wafula and Roukia Mouici, the Wranglers scored 54 points to win by 73 points. Earlier this season, Odessa won team titles at the Region 5 Championships and Abilene Christian’s Naimadu Classic.