Ernest Cheruiyot wasted no time making his mark after arriving on campus. In his collegiate cross country debut, he placed second at the Lori Fitzgerald Invite before winning the Texas Tech Open with an 8k time of 23:17, earning him Big 12 Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week honors.

He maintained that momentum all season, claiming victory at the Notre Dame Invitational and securing a top-five finish at the Big 12 Championships, ultimately placing third in the NCAA Mountain Regional.

On the track, Ernest has set impressive personal bests, including 3:48.20 in the 1500m, 13:27.89 in the 5000m, and 27:45.65 in the 10,000m. He captured the 10k title at the 2025 Big 12 Outdoor Championships and placed third at NCAAs in the same event.

Known for his steady pacing, race intelligence, and competitive resilience, Ernest blends cross country guts with track speed—a combination that makes him one of Texas Tech’s most versatile distance athletes.

Off the course, he’s an early arrival in Lubbock, immersing himself in training and campus life. With Coach Wes Kittley’s run of 19 straight NCAA regional qualifications, Ernest brings fresh energy and proven talent as he aims to elevate the Red Raiders distance squad even further.