CARY, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University men's and women's cross country teams celebrated their best-ever performances at the Cedric Walker HBCU Challenge of the Great American Cross Country Festival by each placing third on Saturday at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina.
 
Freshman Ashley Jean-Raymond (Copiague, N.Y.) posted the top individual finish for NCCU by placing eighth out of 72 competitors with a time of 20:37.4 on the 5k course. Freshman Sierra Beasley finished 11th in 20:58.3, while freshman Ca'Jazzalyn Hairston-Waller placed 14th in 21:32.2.
 
Freshman Ashton Drake (Nokesville, Virginia) topped the NCCU men in 11th place among 74 runners, completing the 8k course in 27:38.3. Freshmen Anthony Williams (28:29.1) and Kazelee Johnson (28:30.9) finished in 16th and 17th place, respectively for the Eagles.
 
The NCCU women placed third out of 11 teams, while the NCCU men placed third out of 12 teams. The participating HBCUs were Morehouse, North Carolina A&T, Saint Augustine's, Benedict, Shaw, Lincoln (Pa.), Fayetteville State, Livingstone, Bowie State, Chowan, and Winston-Salem State.
 
Up next, the NCCU men's and women's cross country teams compete at East Carolina University on Friday, Oct. 12 in Greenville, North Carolina.