Courtesy of Connor Gilbert/New Mexico Athletics

EUGENE, Ore. – Ishmael Kipkurui won his first collegiate title and Habtom Samuel finished as NCAA runner-up in the 10,000m Final thanks to a blistering kick as New Mexico went 1-2 in the same event at NCAA Outdoor Championships for the first time in program history Wednesday at Hayward Field.

It’s the first time UNM has taken home back-to-back individual titles in the same event at NCAA Championships since 2018 – and the first time ever at outdoor championships. Their 18 combined points from the 10K alone have now vaulted UNM into a tie for second in the men’s team standings with Day One’s events in the books.

The duo posted the two fastest 400m splits of the night over the final lap to take control, with Kipkurui closing in 53.38 seconds and Samuel just behind in 54.08. The next-fastest split over that final lap was a 55.57 from Iowa State’s Rodgers Kiplimo.

Samuel – last year’s outdoor NCAA 10,000m champion – has now finished as national runner-up four times in two collegiate seasons as a Lobo (XC 2023 & 2024, Indoor 5K 2025, Outdoor 10K 2025).

This story will be updated.

MEN’S 3,000M STEEPLECHASE SEMIFINAL
9. Mathew Kosgei – 8:31.14
– QUALIFIED for Friday’s Final

Kosgei ran to a comfortable second-place finish in his heat to secure one of five automatic qualifying spots in the final – he ranks second in the nation in the event and will compete for a national championship in Friday’s final.

MEN’S 10,000M FINAL
1. Ishmael Kipkurui – 29:07.70
– NCAA CHAMPION
2. Habtom Samuel – 29:08.73
– NCAA RUNNER-UP