Oklahoma State University Athletics
Brian Musau named Big 12 Runner of the Year for third straight season; Dave Smith named Men’s Coach of the Year for 13th time
December 04, 2025 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State distance runner Brian Musau was named Big 12 Runner of the Year for the third consecutive season, with Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Dave Smith being named Big 12 Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year for a record 13th time, the conference announced Thursday.
Musau is the first man in conference history to be named Big 12 Runner of the Year three times, let alone three times in a row. He picked up his third straight conference title individually, becoming just the second man in Big 12 history to do so as the Cowboys dominated their way to the team title. From there, Musau earned his third career All-America honor on the grass with his third straight top-10 finish at the NCAA Championships. His fourth-place finish overall led the Cowboys to the program's sixth NCAA cross country title.
Head Coach Dave Smith earned his conference-leading 13th Men's Coach of the Year award after leading the Cowboys to their sixth national title on the grass and 14th Big 12 title under his reign, both in dominant fashion. The Cowboys completed a perfect season, winning every meet they competed in for the third time in the Smith era (2010, 2012). He coached the men to 57 points and five All-America finishes individually with Musau, Fouad Messaoudi, Denis Kipngetich, Adisu Guadie and Ryan Schoppe placing fourth, fifth, sixth, 12th and 34th, respectively.
The OSU men also scored just 20 points at the Big 12 Championships, the second-lowest point total in conference history, behind only Smith's 2010 squad that scored 19 points. Under Smith, the Cowboys have won eight more Big 12 men's cross country titles than the rest of the conference combined.
With the program's sixth NCAA title this season, the Cowboys are now tied for fourth in NCAA history, tied with Oregon and Northern Arizona. Since Smith took over the program in 2006, the Cowboys are second in the NCAA with five team titles.
Earlier this season, Smith was named USTFCCCA National Coach of the Year for the men's team performance this season. Smith and Musau were also named Midwest Region Coach and Athlete of the Year.
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Players Mentioned
