I've been compiling a fastest times list for NCAA men's D-I XC 10k nationals and could only get a top 19 thanks to NCAA only reporting the top 10 in the 1970's and 1976 being so blazing fast. NCAA News at the time said it was 6 miles, but every other source on Earth (including all other NCAA sources) say 10k, even pointing out how many yards the difference is in next-day newspaper reports. With 1976's 10th place time being better than any other year's 4th place time over 34 years, it had to be 6 miles! Yet, I have to go with 10k. If anyone could hop into a time machine and measure the 1976 course, I'd appreciate it.
Here is where the list stood when I gave up. WIthout 1976, I could have taken it to a top-80.
1976 28:06.60 Henry Rono, Fr., Washington State
1976 28:16.78 Samson Kimombwa, So., Washington State
1979 28:19.4 Henry Rono, Sr., Washington State
1976 28:26.53 Craig Virgin, Sr., Illinois *
1979 28:27.6 Alberto Salazar, Sr., Oregon
1976 28:30.69 Herb Lindsay, Michigan State *
1977 28:33.5 Henry Rono, So., Washington State
1976 28:34.84 John Treacy, Jr., Providence
1976 28:39 Wilson Waigwa, Sr., UTEP
2009 28:41.3 Samuel Chelanga, Jr., Liberty
1976 28:43.16 Niall O’Shaughnessy, Arkansas
1981 28:45.6 Matthews Motshwarateu, So., UTEP
1976 28:46.37 Sammy Maritim, UTEP
1981 28:46.4 Michael Musyoki, UTEP
1979 28:47.0 Kipsubai Koskei, New Mexico
2001 28:47 Boaz Cheboiywo, Jr., Eastern Michigan
1976 28:49.58 Rudy Chapa, Fr., Oregon *
1977 28:51.0 John Treacy, Sr., Providence
1976 28:52.79 James Munyala, UTEP
*US-born (4 of 16)