Men's Cross Country | 10/3/2025 9:59:00 PM
CARY, N.C. — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore cross country program competed in the Great American XC Festival, with its respective event being the HBCU Challenge. In team standings, the Hawks placed second in the women's 5k, while the men finished third in the 8k.
Continuing her strong season, sophomore Rebecca Jepngetich placed fifth in the women's 5k with a time of 19:19.2. The women's squad had three Hawks finish in the top 10. Senior Abigail Fisher placed ninth in 19:32.7 to begin her 2025 campaign with the Hawks, and freshman Sharly Cherop finished 10th in 19:39.5.
Junior Banele Mkabela made his season debut for the Hawks, placing third in the men's 8k with a time of 24:51.9. Junior Siyabonga Mbatha was the second-fastest runner for the men, finishing sixth in 25:35.6.
Final scores for the women's 5k:
NCCU: 62
Maryland Eastern Shore: 66
Fayetteville State: 79
NC A&T: 81
Winston-Salem State: 147
Morgan State: 150
Virginia Union: 152
West Virginia State: 202
Virginia State: 206
Livingstone: 258
Elizabeth City State: 302
Shaw: NTS
Lincoln (Pa.): 65
Coppin State: 100
Final scores for the men's 8k:
Fayetteville State: 32
NCCU: 72
Maryland Eastern Shore: 77
NC A&T: 107
Virginia Union: 126
Morgan State: 136
Virginia State: 156
Livingstone: 210
Shaw: 225
Elizabeth State: 278
Winston-Salem State: NTS
West Virginia State: NTS
South Carolina State: NTS
Times from the women's race are as follows:
| Place |
Name |
Team |
Time |
Score |
| 1 |
Deavion Deleon |
NC A&T |
17:36.2 |
+1 |
| 2 |
Faith Kiplimo |
Fayetteville State |
18:27.2 |
+2 |
| 3 |
Videlma Jebet |
Fayetteville State |
18:45.5 |
+3 |
| 4 |
Rose Muturi |
Virginia State |
19:06.0 |
+4 |
| 5 |
Rebecca Jepngetich |
Maryland Eastern Shore |
19:17.38 |
+5 |
| 6 |
Alitza Dennard |
NCCU |
19:26.6 |
+6 |
| 7 |
Kayla Johnson |
NCCU |
19:30.6 |
+7 |
| 8 |
Ryan Prioleau |
NC A&T |
19:31.5 |
+8 |
| 9 |
Abigail Fisher |
Maryland Eastern Shore |
19:32.7 |
+9 |
| 10 |
Sharly Cherop |
Maryland Eastern Shore |
21:47.60 |
+10 |
Times from the men's race are as follows:
| Place |
Name |
Team |
Time |
Score |
| 1 |
Brian Kiprop |
Fayetteville State |
24:31.4 |
+1 |
| 2 |
Franklin Kipchirchir |
Fayetteville State |
24:38.4 |
+2 |
| 3 |
Banele Mkabela |
Maryland Eastern Shore |
24:38.4 |
+3 |
| 4 |
Dominic Malel |
Fayetteville State |
25:05.8 |
+4 |
| 5 |
Rodger Korir |
Virginia Union |
25:06.9 |
+5 |
| 6 |
Siyabonga Mbatha |
Maryland Eastern Shore |
25:49.4 |
+6 |
| 7 |
Ryan Chong |
NCCU |
25:49.4 |
+7 |
| 8 |
Ian Kiprono |
Fayetteville State |
25:53.7 |
+8 |
| 9 |
Emmanuel Paddyfote |
NCCU |
25:58.5 |
+9 |
| 10 |
Fidelis Osunkwo |
Maryland Eastern Shore |
26:11.9 |
+10 |
UMES is scheduled to compete in the Howard Bison Invite in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Oct. 17.
For full results and performances from Friday's competition, visit
Women's -
https://www.flashresults.com/2026_Meets/xc/GAXC/003-1_compiled.htm
Men's -
https://www.flashresults.com/2026_Meets/xc/GAXC/004-1_compiled.htm
For updates on UMES cross country and track & field, visit UMESHawkSports.com and follow the team on Twitter (@UMESHawkTFXC) and Instagram (@umeshawktfxc).