Women's Cross Country MEAC Media Relations

Lady Pirates Win HBCU Challenge

The Hampton University women's cross country team was strong Saturday morning at the WakeMed Soccer Park, winning the 2010 HBCU Cross Country Challenge.

The Lady Pirates finished with 41 points in taking their second meet of the season; the team also won the team title at the Maryland Eastern Shore Lid-Lifter Invitational to open the season on Sept. 4. All five of the Lady Pirates' runners finished in the top 13.

Freshman Devyn Thompson paced the Lady Pirates for the second straight meet, running a season-best 19:16.30 over the 5K course to finish third. Freshman Nichelle Harris came in fourth with a season-best 19:27.30, while senior Jasmin Branch ran a 19:59.50 to finish ninth.

Sophomore Teshika Rivers finished 12th with a 20:23.30 and freshman Cydney Robinson a season-best 20:29.30 to finish 13th.

Brittany Stewart of South Carolina State posted the best individual time with an 18:46.70, beating Kellen Rutto of Norfolk State by nearly half a minute.

The Pirates finished third with 103 points, well behind men's team champion Norfolk State. Three Pirates finished in the top 25, led by senior David Kimani who ran a career-best 25:26.30 to finish fifth.

Sophomore Michael Davenport ran a career-best 27:01.90 to come in 13th, while sophomore Xavier Fraction came in 22nd with a career-best 27:53.90. Freshman Jaleel Rogers finished 30th with a 28:30.90, and freshman Je'Von Hutchinson finished 33rd after running a 28:41.00.

Freshman Brandon Burton ran a 29:40.10 to finish 44th, while freshman Larry Ramirez ran a 29:41.60 to finish 45th.

Josef Tessema of Norfolk State posted the top men's time with a 24:47.80.

For the complete story, visit  www.hamptonpirates.com