Men's Cross Country | 8/26/2025 2:49:07 PM
NORFOLK, Va . — The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) cross country season is set to begin on Thursday, August 29, as member institutions prepare for another year of competition leading up to the 2025 MEAC Cross Country Championships. Both the men’s and women’s fields return a mix of veteran standouts and emerging talent, with teams across the league aiming to contend for the conference crown.
On the men’s side, Norfolk State will look to capture its sixth straight MEAC title, continuing its dominance after claiming five consecutive championships since 2019. The Spartans will field a retooled roster this fall following the departure of key contributors Victor Jumo, Raphael Kitur and Gideon Sigei, each instrumental to the program’s recent success.
North Carolina Central is led by reigning MEAC Men’s Cross-Country Championship Most Outstanding Performer Meshack Kuyo, who returns to anchor a veteran Eagles squad featuring four seniors. Delaware State brings back junior Marian Drazan who finished sixth at the 2024 championship, alongside All-MEAC honoree Jonathan Drew. Howard will lean on William Shepherd, an All-MEAC selection as a freshman, as he looks to build on an impressive debut season.
Morgan State will feature the youngest roster in the conference, with lone senior Antonio Sims leading a group of four sophomores and five freshmen. Maryland Eastern Shore returns Jalen Ridgeway, who placed seventh at the 2024 championship with a time of 25:15.3.
Coppin State will be bolstered by a strong veteran core, led by key returners Andrew Betton, Carl Drakes, Asa Francis and Solomon Hammond, along with several other instrumental contributors. South Carolina State introduces a new-look roster this season, led by graduate student Andrew Latimer, while welcoming two transfers and six freshmen.
On the women’s side, Norfolk State returns the core of last season’s championship roster as the Spartans chase their third consecutive MEAC title and sixth overall. The team is anchored by returning All-MEAC performers Abigail Chebet and Sonia Koech.
Howard brings back standout sophomores Mira Martin and Chloe Poindexter, both of whom earned All-MEAC honors as freshmen in 2024. North Carolina Central, which placed third at last year’s championship with 91 points, will rely on senior leaders Kayla Johnson and Laila Jackson.
Morgan State enters the season with one of the league’s youngest rosters, returning just two seniors in Aleisha Robinson and Aaliyah Headley. Delaware State, which finished fifth at the 2024 championship, returns key contributors in Ashley Lagat who finished 15th place in last year's championship meet and Ava Larkin.
Maryland Eastern Shore is led by Rebecca Jepngetich, the Hawks’ lone returning All-MEAC performer, while Coppin State returns several key runners, including Halutie Hor, Kyah LaFortune and Gifty Oku, as the Eagles look to climb the conference standings. South Carolina State returns standout TyQwasia Williams and enters the season with one of the more experienced rosters in the league.
With defending champions reloading and contenders returning key pieces, the 2025 MEAC cross country season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and highly anticipated in the conference’s 55-year history.
For more information, visit MEACsports.com or follow @MEACSports on social media.
About the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) enters its 55th year of intercollegiate competition during the 2025-26 academic year. Based in Norfolk, Va., the MEAC comprises eight distinguished historically Black institutions along the Atlantic coastline: Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University, and South Carolina State University.
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