ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell men's cross country freshman Ibrahim Ford was named the Ivy League Athlete of the Week, the league announced Tuesday, after winning the CU Big Red Opener on Friday at Moakley Course.
Ford clocked a time of 16:00.2 to claim the individual title in his collegiate debut and help the Big Red open the season on its home course with a strong performance.
About Ford
A standout distance runner at Arkport Central School, Ford qualified for the 2025 Nike Cross Nationals after winning the Class D state championship and McQuaid Invitational. He captured Section V Class D titles in 2024 and 2025 and served as team captain from 2023-25.
Ford also enjoyed a decorated track and field career. He won New York state titles in the 3,200 meters and 3,000-meter steeplechase in 2026, while finishing as the state runner-up in the 1,600 meters. He also won the 2026 Federation championship in the steeplechase and placed second at New Balance Nationals in the 2,000-meter steeplechase, recording the second-fastest time in event history. Ford previously won the 2025 state championship in the 3,200 meters and was the state runner-up in the indoor 3,200 meters in both 2025 and 2026.
Ford is the son of Jaclyn and John Ford. Born in Sanaa, Yemen, and raised in Arkport, N.Y., he has four brothers, Jeremiah, Micah, Salim and Adam, and two sisters, Yasmin and Layla. He is enrolled in the College of Engineering and plans to major in mechanical engineering.
