# NCAA Division II men's cross country championships

The NCAA Division II men's cross country championships (previously the NCAA College Division cross country championships, from 1958 to 1973) are contested at an annual meet organized by the NCAA to determine the team and individual national champions of men's collegiate cross country running among its Division II members in the United States and Canada. It has been held every fall, usually in November, since breaking off from the NCAA University Division Men's Cross Country Championships in 1958.
Initially created for cross country programs from smaller universities and colleges, a third championship, the NCAA Division III men's cross country championships, split away in 1973 when the NCAA created its current three-division structure.
Adams State have been the most successful program, with 13 national titles.
The defending national teams champions are Colorado Mines, who won their fourth national title in 2024.
West Texas A&M's William Amponsah is the two-time reigning individual champion.

## Format

The field for the championship race has ranged in size from a low of 11 teams in 1959 to a high of 59 teams in 1972. From 1983 to 1999 the field was fixed at 17 teams. Beginning in 2000, the national championship race has included 24 teams. Teams compete in one of eight regional championships to qualify. In addition to the 24 teams, 16 individual runners qualify for the national championship.
The race distance from 1958 to 1967 was 4 miles (6.4 km). From 1968 to 1975 the race distance was 5 miles (8.0 km). Since 1976 the race distance has been 10,000 meters (6.2 mi)
The event record for the 10,000 meter distance is 28:04.00, set by Shane Healy of Adams State Grizzlies in 1994.

## Results

* The race distance was 4 miles from 1958 to 1967, 5 miles from 1968 to 1975, and 10,000 meters (10 kilometers) from 1976 to the present.
NCAA Division II Men's Cross Country Championship (NCAA College Division Men's Cross Country Championship, 1958–1973) :
| Year | Site (Host Team) | Championship Results | Championship Results | Championship Results | Championship Results | | Individual Championship | Individual Championship |
| Year | Site (Host Team) | Champion | Points | Runner-Up | Points | | Winner (Team) | Time |
| 1958 Details | Wheaton, IL (Wheaton) | Northern Illinois | 90 | South Dakota State | 93 | | Paul Whiteley (Emporia State) | 20:45.0† |
| 1959 Details | Wheaton, IL (Wheaton) | South Dakota State | 67 | Emporia State | 75 | | Paul Whiteley (Emporia State) | 23:01.6 |
| 1960 Details | Wheaton, IL (Wheaton) | Central State (OH) | 72 | Mankato State | 109 | | John Mulholland (Loras) | 20:28.3† |
| 1961 Details | Wheaton, IL (Wheaton) | Southern Illinois | 33 | South Dakota State | 82 | | John Mulholland (Loras) | 20:06.0† |
| 1962 Details | Wheaton, IL (Wheaton) | Central State (OH) (2) | 77 | Northern Illinois | 96 | | Leslie Hegedus (Central State–OH) | 19:59.1† |
| 1963 Details | Wheaton, IL (Wheaton) | Emporia State | 44 | Akron | 174 | | John Camien (Emporia State) | 19:16.9 |
| 1964 Details | Wheaton, IL (Wheaton) | Kentucky State | 95 | Northeast Missouri State | 105 | | Ed Schneider (Northeast Missouri State) | 19:43.9 |
| 1965 Details | Wheaton, IL (Wheaton) | San Diego State | 55 | Eastern Michigan | 164 | | Gene Takle (Luther) | 19:38.9 |
| 1966 Details | Wheaton, IL (Wheaton) | San Diego State (2) | 58 | Western Illinois | 184 | | Bob Fitts (Cortland State) | 19:40.6 |
| 1967 Details | Wheaton, IL (Wheaton) | San Diego State (3) | 66 | Cal Poly Pomona | 133 | | Arjan Gelling (North Dakota) | 19:33.5 |
| The race distance changes from 4 miles to 5 miles ||||||||||
| 1968 Details | Wheaton, IL (Wheaton) | Eastern Illinois | 99 | Mankato State | 130 | | Dave Robbins (Portland State) | 25:14.00† |
| 1969 Details | Wheaton, IL (Wheaton) | Eastern Illinois (2) | 84 | Eastern Michigan | 146 | | Ron Stonitsch (C.W. Post) | 24:53.00† |
| 1970 Details | Wheaton, IL (Wheaton) | Eastern Michigan | 100 | Cal State Fullerton | 124 | | Mark Covert (Cal State Fullerton) | 25:13.00 |
| 1971 Details | Wheaton, IL (Wheaton) | Cal State Fullerton | 147 | North Dakota State | 81 | | Mike Slack (North Dakota State) | 24:19.00† |
| 1972 Details | Wheaton, IL (Wheaton) | North Dakota State | 84 | South Dakota State | 143 | | Mike Slack (North Dakota State) | 24:36.00 |
| 1973 Details | Wheaton, IL (Wheaton) | South Dakota State (2) | 88 | Southwest Missouri State | 93 | | Garry Bentley (South Dakota State) | 23:49.00† |
| 1974 Details | Springfield, MO (Southwest Missouri State) | Southwest Missouri State | 112 | South Dakota State | 130 | | Garry Bentley (South Dakota State) | 23:33.80 |
| 1975 Details | Northridge, CA (Cal State Northridge) | UC Irvine | 59 | Cal State Northridge | 91 | | Ralph Serna (UC Irvine) | 23:40.6 |
| The race distance changes from 5 miles to 10,000 meters ||||||||||
| 1976 Details | Springfield, MO (Southwest Missouri State) | UC Irvine (2) | 50 | Southwest Missouri State | 73 | | Ralph Serna (UC Irvine) | 29:42.00† |
| 1977 Details | Chicago, IL (Illinois–Chicago) | Eastern Illinois (3) | 37 | South Dakota State | 151 | | Michael Bollman (North Dakota State) | 30:08.70 |
| 1978 Details | Indiana, PA (Indiana of Pennsylvania) | Cal Poly | 42 | South Dakota State | 165 | | James Schankel (Cal Poly) | 30:34.00 |
| 1979 Details | Riverside, CA (UC Riverside) | Cal Poly (2) | 45 | Sacramento State | 108 | | James Schankel (Cal Poly) | 29:43.00 |
| 1980 Details | Somers, WI (Wisconsin–Parkside) | Humboldt State | 115 | UNC Pembroke | 120 | | Garry Henry (UNC Pembroke) | 29:32.00† |
| 1981 Details | Lowell, MA (Lowell) | Millersville | 97 | Edinboro | 99 | | Mark Conover (Humboldt State) | 31:45.70 |
| 1982 Details | St. Cloud, MN (St. Cloud State) | Eastern Washington | 84 | South Dakota State | 123 | | Greg Beardsley (Edinboro) | 36:49.80 |
| 1983 Details | Somers, WI (Wisconsin–Parkside) | Cal Poly Pomona | 86 | St. Cloud State | 100 | | Brian Ferrari (California–PA) | 30:38.20 |
| 1984 Details | Clinton, MS (Mississippi College) | Southeast Missouri State | 87 | Edinboro | 129 | | Michael Vanatta (Southeast Missouri State) | 29:55.00 |
| 1985 Details | East Stroudsburg, PA (East Stroudsburg) | South Dakota State (3) | 60 | Edinboro | 108 | | Samson Obwocha (East Texas State) | 30:49.40 |
| 1986 Details | Riverside, CA (UC Riverside) | Edinboro | 56 | South Dakota State | 79 | | Samson Obwocha (East Texas State) | 30:52.00 |
| 1987 Details | Evansville, IN (Southern Indiana) | Edinboro (2) | 95 | Mankato State | 113 | | Charles Cheruiyot (Mount St. Mary's) | 30:42.00 |
| 1988 Details | Clinton, MS (Mississippi College) | Edinboro (3) & Mankato State | 77 | South Dakota State | | | Doug Hanson (North Dakota State) | 29:47.00 |
| 1989 Details | East Stroudsburg, PA (East Stroudsburg) | South Dakota State (4) | 97 | Edinboro | 102 | | Rob Edson (Keene State) | 31:44.90 |
| 1990 Details | Arcata, CA (Humboldt State) | Edinboro (4) | 50 | Shippensburg | 125 | | Doug Hanson (North Dakota State) | 29:18.80† |
| 1991 Details | Edwardsville, IL (SIU Edwardsville) | UMass Lowell | 48 | Nebraska–Kearney | 96 | | Martin Lyons (Edinboro) | 31:29.00 |
| 1992 Details | Slippery Rock, PA (Slippery Rock) | Adams State | 15 | Western State | 56 | | Phillip Castillo (Adams State) | 32:24.00 |
| 1993 Details | Riverside, CA (UC Riverside) | Adams State (2) | 25 | Edinboro | 103 | | Shane Healy (Adams State) | 28:04.00 |
| 1994 Details | Kearney, NE (Nebraska–Kearney) | Adams State (3) | 55 | Western State | 73 | | Charles Mulinga (Lewis) | 30:59.90 |
| 1995 Details | Spartanburg, SC (USC Upstate) | Western State | 69 | Central Missouri State | 98 | | Charles Mulinga (Lewis) | 30:20.12 |
| 1996 Details | Arcata, CA (Humboldt State) | South Dakota State (5) | 119 | Lewis | 142 | | Alexandr Alexin (Central Missouri State) | 31:23.60 |
| 1997 Details | Somers, WI (Wisconsin–Parkside) | South Dakota | 78 | Central Missouri State | 83 | | Elly Rono (Southern Indiana) | 31:13.90 |
| 1998 Details | Lawrence, KS (Kansas) | Adams State (4) | 68 | Western State | 74 | | Yi Min Wu (Edinboro) | 31:06.60 |
| 1999 Details | Joplin, MO (Missouri Southern State) | Western State (2) | 27 | Adams State | 95 | | Michael Aish (Western State) | 29:19.00 |
| 2000 Details | Pomona, CA (Cal Poly Pomona) | Western State (3) | 29 | Abilene Christian | 62 | | Alfred Rugema (Abilene Christian) | 30:17.00 |
| 2001 Details | Slippery Rock, PA (Slippery Rock) | Western State (4) | 38 | Abilene Christian | 74 | | Michael Aish (Western State) | 30:52.60 |
| 2002 Details | Ashland, OH (Cal Poly Pomona) | Western State (5) | 35 | Abilene Christian | 81 | | Alfred Rugema (Abilene Christian) | 30:43.70 |
| 2003 Details | Cary, NC | Adams State (5) | 40 | Abilene Christian | 68 | | Celedonio Rodriguez (Adams State) | 30:25.60 |
| 2004 Details | Evansville, IN (Southern Indiana) | Western State (6) | 39 | Adams State | 76 | | Nicodemus Naimadu (Abilene Christian) | 31:38.10 |
| 2005 Details | Pomona, CA (Cal Poly Pomona) | Western State (7) | 51 | Adams State | 108 | | Nicodemus Naimadu (Abilene Christian) | 30:13.80 |
| 2006 Details | Pensacola, FL | Abilene Christian | 57 | Adams State | 70 | | Nicodemus Naimadu (Abilene Christian) | 29:17.50 |
| 2007 Details | Joplin, MO (Missouri Southern State) | Abilene Christian (2) | 59 | Adams State & Western State | 66 | | Nicodemus Naimadu (Abilene Christian) | 29:37.70 |
| 2008 Details | Slippery Rock, PA (Slippery Rock) | Adams State (6) | 67 | Western State | 88 | | Scott Bauhs (Chico State) | 30:23.00 |
| 2009 Details | Evansville, IN (Southern Indiana) | Adams State (7) | 23 | Western State | 86 | | Reuben Mwei (Adams State) | 30:27.80 |
| 2010 Details | Louisville, KY (Bellarmine) | Adams State (8) | 57 | Western State | 102 | | Michael Crouch (Queens–NC) | 30:43.20 |
| 2011 Details | Spokane, WA | Western State (8) | 27 | Adams State | 69 | | Ryan Haebe (Western State) | 30:45.10 |
| 2012 Details | Joplin, MO (Missouri Southern State) | Adams State (9) | 34 | Colorado Mines | 102 | | Micah Chelimo (Alaska–Anchorage) | 28:56.60 |
| 2013 Details | Spokane, WA | Adams State (10) | 54 | Grand Valley State | 104 | | Tabor Stevens (Adams State) | 29:50.10 |
| 2014 Details | Louisville, KY (Bellarmine) | Adams State (11) | 69 | Grand Valley State | 127 | | Tabor Stevens (Adams State) | 30:02.00 |
| 2015 Details | Joplin, MO (Missouri Southern State) | Colorado Mines | 100 | Adams State | 127 | | Alfred Chelanga (Shorter) | 29:24.6 |
| 2016 Details | Tampa, FL (Saint Leo) | Adams State (12) | 54 | Grand Valley State | 79 | | Vincent Kiprop (Missouri Southern) | 29:07.4 |
| 2017 Details | Evansville, IN (Southern Indiana) | Adams State (13) | 44 | Grand Valley State | 64 | | James Ngandu (Tiffin) | 30:18.8 |
| 2018 Details | Pittsburgh, PA (Clarion) | Grand Valley State | 89 | Colorado Mines | 99 | | Marcelo Laguera (CSU-Pueblo) | 31:46.4 |
| 2019 Details | Joplin, MO (Missouri Southern State) | Colorado Mines (2) | 57 | Adams State | 136 | | Ezra Mutai (American Int'l) | 29:31.2 |
| 2020 Details | Evansville, IN (Southern Indiana) | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States |
| 2021 Details | Tampa, FL | Grand Valley State (2) | 43 | Adams State | 84 | | Isaac Harding (Grand Valley State) | 29:58.3 |
| 2022 Details | Seattle, WA (Seattle Pacific) | Colorado Mines (3) | 43 | Wingate | 177 | | Dillon Powell (Colorado Mines) | 29:28.0 |
| 2023 Details | Joplin, MO (Missouri Southern State) | Wingate | 70 | Colorado Mines | 79 | | William Amponsah (West Texas A&M) | 29:04.3 |
| 2024 Details | Sacramento, CA | Colorado Mines (4) | 63 | Wingate | 66 | | William Amponsah (West Texas A&M) | 29:40.8 |
| 2025 Details | Kenosha, WI (Wisconsin–Parkside) | | | | | | | |
* A † indicates a then-NCAA record-setting time for that particular distance.
* A time highlighted in ██ indicates the all-time NCAA championship record for that distance.

## Champions
### Team titles

| Team | Titles | Years |
| Adams State | 13 | 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 |
| Western Colorado (Western State) | 8 | 1995, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2011 |
| Colorado School of Mines | 4 | 2015, 2019, 2022, 2024 |
| Edinboro | 4 | 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990 |
| Central State (OH) | 2 | 1960, 1962 |
| Grand Valley State | 2 | 2018, 2021 |
| Cal Poly Pomona | 1 | 1983 |
| Cal Poly Humboldt (Humboldt State) | 1 | 1980 |
| Emporia State | 1 | 1963 |
| Kentucky State | 1 | 1964 |
| Millersville | 1 | 1981 |
| Minnesota State (Mankato State) | 1 | 1988 |
| Wingate | 1 | 2023 |

#### Former Division II

| Team | Titles | Years |
| South Dakota State | 5 | 1959, 1973, 1985, 1989, 1996 |
| Eastern Illinois | 3 | 1968, 1969, 1977 |
| San Diego State | 3 | 1965, 1966, 1967 |
| Abilene Christian | 2 | 2006, 2007 |
| UC Irvine | 2 | 1975, 1976 |
| Cal Poly San Luis Obispo | 2 | 1978, 1979 |
| Cal State Fullerton | 1 | 1971 |
| Eastern Michigan | 1 | 1970 |
| Eastern Washington | 1 | 1982 |
| UMass Lowell | 1 | 1991 |
| Missouri State | 1 | 1974 |
| North Dakota State | 1 | 1972 |
| Northern Illinois | 1 | 1958 |
| South Dakota | 1 | 1997 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 1 | 1984 |

### Individual titles by team

| Rank | Team | Titles | Years |
| 1 | Abilene Christian | 6 | 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 |
| 1 | Adams State | 6 | 1992, 1993, 2003, 2009, 2013, 2014 |
| 2 | North Dakota State | 5 | 1971, 1972, 1977, 1988, 1990 |
| 3 | West Texas A&M | 3 | 1964, 2023, 2024 |
| 3 | Edinboro | 3 | 1982, 1991, 1998 |
| 3 | Emporia State | 3 | 1958, 1959, 1963 |
| 3 | Western Colorado (Western State) | 3 | 1999, 2001, 2011 |
| 4 | UC Irvine | 2 | 1975, 1976 |
| 4 | Cal Poly–San Luis Obispo | 2 | 1978, 1979 |
| 4 | Lewis | 2 | 1994, 1995 |
| 4 | Loras | 2 | 1960, 1961 |
| 4 | South Dakota State | 2 | 1973, 1974 |
| 4 | Texas A&M–Commerce (East Texas State) | 2 | 1985, 1986 |
| 5 | Alaska–Anchorage | 1 | 2012 |
| 5 | American International | 1 | 2019 |
| 5 | Chico State | 1 | 2008 |
| 5 | Cal State Fullerton | 1 | 1970 |
| 5 | California (PA) | 1 | 1983 |
| 5 | Central Missouri (Central Missouri State) | 1 | 1996 |
| 5 | Central State (OH) | 1 | 1962 |
| 5 | Colorado School of Mines | 1 | 2022 |
| 5 | CSU Pueblo | 1 | 2018 |
| 5 | Cortland | 1 | 1966 |
| 5 | Grand Valley State | 1 | 2021 |
| 5 | Cal Poly Humboldt (Humboldt State) | 1 | 1981 |
| 5 | Keene State | 1 | 1989 |
| 5 | LIU–Post (C.W. Post) | 1 | 1969 |
| 5 | Luther | 1 | 1965 |
| 5 | Missouri Southern | 1 | 2016 |
| 5 | Mount St. Mary's | 1 | 1987 |
| 5 | UNC Pembroke (Pembroke State) | 1 | 1980 |
| 5 | North Dakota | 1 | 1967 |
| 5 | Portland State | 1 | 1968 |
| 5 | Queens (NC) | 1 | 2010 |
| 5 | Shorter | 1 | 2015 |
| 5 | Southeast Missouri State | 1 | 1984 |
| 5 | Southern Indiana | 1 | 1997 |
| 5 | Tiffin | 1 | 2017 |
| 5 | Truman | 1 | 1964 |

### Individual titles by runner

| Rank | Runner | Team | Titles | Years |
| 1 | Nicodemus Naimadu | Abilene Christian | 4 | 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 |
| 2 | Paul Whiteley | Emporia State | 2 | 1958, 1959 |
| 2 | John Mulholland | Loras | 2 | 1960, 1961 |
| 2 | Mike Slack | North Dakota State | 2 | 1971, 1972 |
| 2 | Garry Bentley | South Dakota State | 2 | 1973, 1974 |
| 2 | Ralph Serna | UC Irvine | 2 | 1975, 1976 |
| 2 | James Schankel | Cal Poly | 2 | 1978, 1979 |
| 2 | Samson Obwocha | Texas A&M–Commerce East Texas State | 2 | 1985, 1986 |
| 2 | Doug Hanson | North Dakota State | 2 | 1988, 1990 |
| 2 | Charles Mulinga | Lewis | 2 | 1994, 1995 |
| 2 | Michael Aish | Western State | 2 | 1999, 2001 |
| 2 | Alfred Rugema | Abilene Christian | 2 | 2000, 2002 |
| 2 | Tabor Stevens | Adams State | 2 | 2013, 2014 |
* Schools highlighted in pink are closed or no longer sponsor athletics.
* Schools highlight in yellow have reclassified athletics from NCAA Division II.