Tulane Track and Field’s Record-Breaking Freshman Sparks Nationals Momentum
Silas Kiptanui is leading the Tulane Green Wave to Eugene, Oregon, for his first NCAA national championship appearance, with hopes for many more to come. Alongside him is Bernard Cheruiyot, as both will debut at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships starting on June 11.
Kiptanui will compete in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, while Cheruiyot will race in the 10,000 meters. Both athletes recently returned from the NCAA Division I East Regionals in Jacksonville, Florida, where they secured fourth-place finishes in their respective events, according to College Track and Field Rankings and Meet Results.
Kiptanui, a freshman, was the standout, setting a new 23-year-old Tulane record in only his third attempt at the steeplechase. His time of 8:27.28 ranks as the seventh-fastest time in the country this year.
Cheruiyot, another freshman and a member of Tulane’s cross-country team, had an impressive fall season. He claimed victory at the 2024 American Athletic Conference cross-country championships with a time of 23:43.5 in the 8k. His 10,000-meter time of 29:02.16 in Jacksonville earned him fourth place, though his personal best in the event is 28:31.83.
While only Kiptanui and Cheruiyot will be heading to Oregon, it’s worth noting that eight Tulane athletes qualified for the regionals in Florida, showcasing the team’s strength. Though the men are competing for individual titles, their success is a reflection of the support and hard work of the entire track and field program.
The Tulane Green Wave athletic department is excited about the future of the track and field team, with Kiptanui and Cheruiyot leading the charge for years to come.
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