Oklahoma State's cross country teams delivered contrasting performances in 2025. The men's team clinched the national championship, marking their sixth title, while the women's team rebounded to 12th after a disappointing prior season. However, the broader fall sports program struggled, particularly in football and soccer, where both teams failed to meet expectations. Coach Dave Smith's cross country program highlights a stark contrast to other athletic teams that seek to revitalize in the coming year.

By the Numbers
  • Men's cross country: 1st place at the national championship, 6th overall title since 2009.
  • Women's cross country: 12th place finish, with freshman Isca Chelangat placing 7th overall.
  • Football: 1-11 overall, 0-9 Big 12.
  • Soccer: 4-13-2 overall, 0-10-1 Big 12.
Yes, But

Despite the football and soccer teams' poor performances, they faced challenging schedules and difficult circumstances. The soccer team lost several close matches, suggesting they could improve. Meanwhile, football is at a pivotal point that might lead to a future turnaround with new strategies and recruits.

State of Play
  • The men's cross country team has excelled, consistently placing in the top ranks.
  • The women's team showed resilience, improving significantly from the previous season.
  • Football faces significant rebuilding after a disastrous 2025 season.
  • Soccer needs to address its struggles, especially following recent successes.
What's Next

As 2025 concludes, both cross country teams are expected to uphold their strong performances, while football and soccer aim to rebuild. Anticipated recruitment efforts and coaching adjustments could set the stage for recovery and regain competitiveness in their respective conferences.

Bottom Line

Oklahoma State's athletic performance in 2025 was a tale of two extremes, with cross country triumphs contrasting sharply against the failures in football and soccer. The program must leverage its cross country success to inspire improvements across all sports, highlighting the necessity for strategic realignment and proactive measures in rebuilding efforts.