This weekend will mark the second slate of cross country meets in the 2018 season, and with it, all 12 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) programs will have been in action at some point.

Coppin State, Howard, Morgan State, Norfolk State, North Carolina A&T State, North Carolina Central, Savannah State and South Carolina State all saw their first action of 2018 this past weekend. Howard hosted its own meet, while the other seven programs remained somewhat local.

Norfolk State's Martha Bissah, who won the MEAC individual crown with a meet record last season, picked up right where she left off, winning gold at the University of Virginia Duals this past Saturday, completing the 4K course in 14:21.33. She was named MEAC Women's Runner of the Week for her efforts.

Led by Bissah, Norfolk State has three of the MEAC's top five times at 4,000 meters after one week of action. North Carolina A&T State (G'Jazmyne Butler, 15:20, and Kristoni Barnes, 16:08.70, have the other two).

Howard won the men's and women's titles at the Howard Labor Day Classic this past weekend, with Tariq Fullerton and Denstiny Stanford winning the men's and women's individual titles, respectively. In fact, Fullerton ran a 16:20.51 over the 5K run and was named MEAC Men's Runner of the Week.

Fullerton currently holds the MEAC's top men's time at 5,000 meters.

Morgan State came in second on the both the men's and women's sides in the Towson Invitational, and North Carolina A&T State's Regan Kimtai was a highlight in the Elon Opener, coming in third after running a school-record 18 minutes, 41 seconds on the 6K course.

Kimtai has the MEAC's top 6K time so far this season, and Aggies take up four of the top five spots.

This week, Bethune-Cookman, Delaware State and Maryland Eastern Shore will all open their seasons; the Hornets will host the Hornet Invitational on Saturday, in which Maryland Eastern Shore will take part, at the Delaware State Outreach & Research Center in Smyrna, Del. (the site of the 2018 MEAC Cross Country Championships).

Coppin State and Morgan State will also compete in that meet.

Bethune-Cookman will open its season on Friday in the North Florida Invitational. Howard will be at the James Madison Invitational on Saturday, and South Carolina State will run in the Coastal Carolina Fleet Feet.

Meet dates and times are subject to change.


Friday, Sept. 7
Bethune-Cookman at North Florida XC Invitational

Saturday, Sept. 8
Coppin State at Hornet Invitational
Delaware State at Hornet Invitational
Howard at James Madison Invitational
Maryland Eastern Shore at Hornet Invitational
Morgan State at Hornet Invitational
South Carolina State at Coastal Carolina Fleet Feet