Norfolk State Claims Seventh Straight MEAC Men's Cross Country Crown

Men's Cross Country | 10/30/2026 3:12:42 PM

CARY, N.C. – Norfolk State University secured its seventh consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men’s Cross Country Championship on Friday at WakeMed Park. 

Norfolk State finished first with 35 points. Clinton Kipruto placed second in 23:57.3, while teammate Ian Kimutai finished third in 24:11.0. Kenneth Giles was named Coach of the Championship. 

Delaware State finished second with 62 points, led by Marian Drazan (fourth, 24:29.0) and Lekan Sotonwa (fifth, 24:38.5). Maryland-Eastern Shore placed third with 87 points, with Banele Mkabela and Nkanyezi Ziqubu finishing sixth and seventh, respectively. N.C. Central’s Aaron Alukunyang earned the Outstanding Performer honor with a first-place finish in 23:44.8.    

2026 MEAC Cross Country Honors  
Outstanding Performer: Aaron Alukunyang, N.C. Central 
Outstanding Coach: Kenneth Giles, Norfolk State   


The top 15 finishers were named All-MEAC.  

 All-MEAC Team  

  • Aaron Alukunyang, N.C. Central – 23:44.8 

  • Clinton Kipruto, Norfolk State – 23:57.3 

  • Ian Kimutai, Norfolk State – 24:11.0 

  • Marian Drazan, Delaware State – 24:29.0 

  • Lekan Sotonwa, Delaware State – 24:38.5 

  • Banele Mkabela, Maryland-Eastern Shore – 24:38.7 

  • Nkanyezi Ziqubu, Maryland-Eastern Shore – 24:44.6 

  • Daniel Mathenge, Norfolk State – 24:56.0 

  • Mohammed Mrahi, Norfolk State – 24:58.6 

  • Tinashe Bure, SC State – 25:00.8 

  • Siyabonga Mbatha, Maryland-Eastern Shore – 25:03.6 

  • Jonathan Drew, Delaware State – 25:11.7 

  • Jemmel Green, Norfolk State – 25:22.7 

  • Noah Douglas, Howard – 25:27.0 

  • Paul Robinson, Howard – 25:37.0 


    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.