STILLWATER, Okla. - Colorado’s men came through with the kind of team race that wins titles.
The No. 3 Buffaloes captured the 2026 Big 12 Championships on Saturday, piling up five top-12 finishes and edging Oklahoma State in a tight finish. Dominic Serem led the way for CU, placing second overall and first among Colorado runners as the Buffs claimed the conference crown.
It was Colorado’s 13th Big 12 title in cross country and its first since 2007. The championship also marked the program’s 34th conference title all-time.
“Real proud of our guys. They ran a great team race,” Head Coach Sean Carlson said.
“They did a really good job of being disciplined throughout the race and running in their positions that we talked about. Fantastic day.
I couldn't ask for anything more.”
Colorado’s winning score was 36, just ahead of Oklahoma State’s 38. BYU finished third with 91.
Serem wasn’t alone at the front. The Buffaloes packed the course early, with Serem, Jake Liebert, Meshack Kipruto and Jack Graffeo all settling into a steady pace near the front through the first 2K. Lukas Haug and Isaiah Givens also worked their way into the mix as Colorado battled BYU and Oklahoma State for a podium spot.
By the 3K split, Kipruto had moved into the lead for CU, positioned between two BYU runners. The Buffs stayed bunched tightly, with seven runners in the top 20 and five in the top 12.
Colorado kept its grip through the 6K mark, still 11 points clear of second place. Kipruto and Serem then pushed into second and fourth as they attacked a tough hill, and the race came down to a final charge through the chute with Colorado and Oklahoma State running side by side. Serem finished second, Kipruto fourth, and the rest of Colorado’s scorers all landed in the top 12.
The women also delivered a strong showing, finishing fourth with 117 points.
Sheylah Kurgat paced the Buffs in the 6K race, crossing in 19:46.7 to place eighth overall. Colorado opened aggressively, with Kurgat jumping into the early lead and staying with a pack of BYU runners. Abbey Mathison joined her near the front, and the two crossed the 2K point in just over seven minutes.
Kurgat kept pressing, and Adrianna Buitelaar and Holly Barker made big moves on the back stretch to help Colorado stay in the hunt for a top-five finish. The final stretch turned into a shuffle among Utah, Oklahoma State and Colorado, but the Buffs held on for fourth.
The women’s race was won by BYU with 56 points, followed by West Virginia with 63 and Oklahoma State with 116.
Colorado now turns to the NCAA Mountain Regionals on Friday, Nov. 13.
In Other News...
Arizona State Faces A Dangerous Colorado Test At Home
Colorado heads into Nov. 7 with some momentum after its overtime win against Kansas State, and the timing makes the trip to Arizona State feel like more than just another conference game. The Buffaloes have leaned on a mix of playmakers to keep their offense moving, with JaQuail Smith, Richard Young, Isaac Wilson and Joseph Williams all part of the recent push that helped them survive a tight one.
Arizona State, meanwhile, is trying to steady itself after a loss to BYU and will get the chance to regroup at home in what oddsmakers expect to be a close matchup. The Sun Devils are still carrying the edge in the betting line, but Colorado has already shown it can hang in a tense game, which is exactly why this one has the feel of a test both teams will have to earn. [Read more 🡒]
Colorados New-Look Roster Faces Its First Real Test Tonight
A new season finally arrives for Tad Boyle and a Colorado roster that looks different in a few key places, with returning pieces joined by transfers as the Buffaloes get ready to see how it all fits together. The opener comes at home, giving Colorado an early chance to settle in before the schedule starts to tighten, and it also offers the first real look at how Boyles latest mix of experience and newcomers handles game speed.
Abilene Christian brings its own recent success into the matchup, which should keep the focus on execution rather than first-night polish. For Colorado, the bigger story is less about the opponent than about whether this revamped group can start the year with the kind of clean, composed performance that sets the tone for what comes next. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Finally Got A Full-Team Win But One Unit Still Stands Out
Colorados long-awaited Big 12 breakthrough against Kansas State looked like the kind of win the Buffaloes have been chasing for a while, one built on contributions from just about every level of the roster. Isaac Wilson threw for 185 yards and a touchdown, Richard Young added 120 rushing yards and two scores, and the defense had enough good stretches to help the offense finish the job after a year without a conference victory.
Even with the balanced effort, one phase kept standing out in a different way. The linebackers brought energy and production in the middle, and special teams repeatedly helped tilt field position by pinning Kansas State deep, giving Colorado a chance to play on its terms more often than not. The corners, though, were still part of a shakier picture, leaving a reminder that even a full-team win can come with one unit still demanding attention. [Read more 🡒]