SMYRNA, Del. – Sophomore Victoria Swepson and freshman Emmanuel Paddyfote both earned All-MEAC honors for their high finishes in their respective races to lead the NCCU men's and women's cross country teams at the 2022 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Cross Country Championships hosted by Delaware State University on Saturday.
 
The NCCU men's cross country team finished fourth place out of eight teams for a second straight year. NCCU women's cross country moved up one spot from last year, placing fifth out of eight programs.
 
Swepson raced to NCCU's top finish with a ninth place result out of 51 finishers by completing the women's 5k course at the DSU Outreach and Research Center in 19:34. Swepson has finished ninth place in that race in each of her first two seasons representing the maroon and gray, garnering All-MEAC both times.   
 
Paddyfote continued his strong rookie campaign with a team-best 12th place result out of 50 finishers in the men's 8k to collect All-MEAC laurels. Paddyfote had NCCU's top men's finish for a third consecutive race when he clocked in at 27:05.
 
The NCCU men's cross country team was able to finish in the upper half of the field with a balanced lineup. The first four Eagles all reached the finish line within one minute of each other to all place in the top-20.  
 
Freshman Octavious Smith (27:47) took 17th, classmate Corey Little (27:56) was 19th and senior Isaiah Hunter (28:03) followed in 20th place. All three just missed All-MEAC honors, which is awarded to the top-15 runners. Senior Ashton Drake (29:07) completed NCCU's scoring in 28th place.
 
Freshman Gianna Marquez had a top-20 performance in her first MEAC Championship, completing the course in 20:42. NCCU completed its scoring with the next three Eagles all finishing within 45 seconds of each other, including sophomore Mylena Beckham (21:13/26th), freshman Laila Jackson (21:48/32nd) and sophomore Taylor Hanson (21:56/34th).
 
Norfolk State University won the men's team title for a third consecutive season while Howard University won the women's championship.
 
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NCCU WOMEN'S 5K INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (51 Finishers)
9. Victoria Swepson (19:34.2)
20. Gianna Marquez (20:42.6)
26. Mylena Beckham (21:13.4)
32. Laila Jackson (21:48.5)
34. Taylor Hanson (21:56.0)
41. Jadiza Jimenez (23:03.2)
 
NCCU MEN'S 8K INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (50 Finishers)
12. Emmanuel Paddyfote (27:05.0)
17. Octavious Smith (27:47.5)
19. Corey Little (27:56.1)
20. Isaiah Hunter (28:03.8)
28. Ashton Drake (29:07.7)
38. Melchoir Ellis (31:04.7)