Howard Secures Back-to-Back MEAC Women's Cross Country Titles for First Time in Over Two Decades

Women's Cross Country | 10/30/2026 3:50:29 PM

CARY, N.C. – Howard secured consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) for women's cross–country titles for the first time since winning back-to-back championships in 2002 and 2003. 

Norfolk State finished as the runner-up with 65 points, paced by an individual stellar performance from Veronica Jesang, while Delaware State placed third with 76 points. Jesang set the pace for the entire meet, capturing individual gold for Norfolk State with a blistering time of 18:21.8.  

However, Howard immediately answered with a relentless wave of runners, securing five of the top seven overall finishes to seal the team title. Alexis Jones led the Bison charge, finishing second overall in 18:36.7. Teammate Mira Martin followed closely behind in third with a time of 18:53.0.  

North Carolina Central’s Sharon Magut broke up the pack momentarily by taking fourth place in 19:07.6, but Howard reclaimed control of the leaderboard with Ester Kirk placing fifth (19:16.8), Chloe Poindexter sixth (19:17.8), and Kylee King seventh (19:18.5).  

Norfolk State's Abigael Chebet rounded out the top 10 with a time of 19:40.7. Delaware State was led by Mileah Cotton, who crossed the finish line 11th overall in 19:53.3. 

2026 MEAC Cross Country Honors  

Outstanding Performer: Veronica Jesang, Norfolk State 

Outstanding Coach: Dameon Morgan, Howard  

The top 15 finishers were named All-MEAC.  

 All-MEAC Team  

  • Veronica Jesang, Norfolk State – 18:21.8  

  • Alexis Jones, Howard – 18:36.7  

  • Mira Martin, Howard – 18:53.0  

  • Sharon Magut, N.C. Central – 19:07.6  

  • Ester Kirk, Howard – 19:16.8  

  • Chloe Poindexter, Howard – 19:17.8  

  • Kylee King, Howard – 19:18.5  

  • Navi McDowell, N.C. Central – 19:30.5  

  • Breeya Conwell, Howard – 19:38.3  

  • Abigael Chebet, Norfolk State – 19:40.7  

  • Mileah Cotton, Delaware State – 19:53.3  

  • Sarah Seam, Howard – 20:02.4  

  • Cherish Ray, Delaware State – 20:03.1  

  • Amira Dailey, Norfolk State – 20:10.2  

  • Kendall Robinson, Howard – 20:17.6 

About the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference 
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) enters its 56th year of intercollegiate competition with the 2026–27 academic year. Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, the MEAC is comprised of eight distinguished Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) along the Atlantic seaboard: 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. Since its founding in 1970, the MEAC has been dedicated to promoting academic excellence, sportsmanship, and the personal growth of student athletes. For more information, visit www.MEACSports.com.