CARY, N.C. – Sophomore Laila Jackson and graduate student Laderique McNeill finish seventh to lead both North Carolina Central University cross country teams in the Cedric Walker HBCU Challenge on Friday evening. This was the second race held at the WakeMed Soccer Park that NCCU has competed in this season.

In his second 8k race of the season, McNeill posted a time of 26:02, which was his best this season at that distance. Sophomore Emmanuel Paddyfote wasn't too far behind, finishing 12th (26:55) in the men's 8k run.

Jackson (19:34) was less than 45 seconds out of first in the women's 5k race. This was her fastest time this season, and second race under 20 minutes. Sophomore Gianna Marquez (20:07) finished just outside the top 10, crossing the finish line in 11th for her best time on the season.

There were 13 men's teams and 12 women's teams racing with the Eagles. Familiar Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foe Norfolk State finished first in both races.

The NCCU men had seven runners in the challenge. Freshman Ryan Chong (27:13) finished 14th, with Eagle teammates sophomore Corey Little (27:38) and freshman Donald Moore (27:42) flying in to place 16th and 17th. Freshmen Elmore Johnson III (35:35) and Ocir Black (39:53) completed the men's team.

Junior Zinash Valen (20:41) and sophomore Jadiza Jiminez (21:18) finished 21st and 25th respectively. Junior Taylor Hanson rounded out the women's squad by running 23:03.

NCCU cross country will compete in one more regular season event on Saturday, October 14 at the Upstate Invitational. The race will be hosted by USC Upstate at the Milliken Research Park in Spartanburg, S.C.

NCCU MEN'S 8K INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (84 finishers)
7. Laderique McNeill (26:02.5)
12. Emmanuel Paddyfote (26:55.8)
14. Ryan Chong (27:13.4)
16. Corey Little (27:38.8)
17. Donald Moore (27:42.8)
61. Elmore Johnson III (35:35.5)
77. Ocir Black (39:53.0)
 
NCCU WOMEN'S 5K INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (83 finishers)
7. Laila Jackson (19:34.7)
11. Gianna Marquez (20:07.2)
21. Zinash Valen (20:41.6)
25. Jadiza Jimenez (21:18.9)
40. Taylor Hanson (23:03.0)

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