SMYRNA, Del. – Freshman Meshack Kuyo became North Carolina Central University's first men's 8K individual champion after finishing first at the 2024 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships on Saturday afternoon. The men were the runners-up with its highest program finish since joining the MEAC in 2011. The women's team finished third for the second consecutive season in the 5K race. Delaware State University hosted the championships at its Outreach & Research Center.

Five Eagles finished in the top 15 earning All-MEAC honors. Kuyo, junior Emmanuel Paddyfote and sophomore Evans Kimutai earned men's All-MEAC honors, while juniors Kayla Johnson and Laila Jackson were named on the women's side.

MEN'S TEAM – Second (51 points)

Kuyo brought home the gold in historic fashion with a time of 23:18.2. In addition to being the first NCCU individual winner, he now holds the top time in MEAC Championship history beating David Kemboi of Norfolk State University's 2005 record of 23:30.1 according to MEAC record books. Kuyo was named the men's Outstanding Runner for his performance.

Joining Kuyo in the top 10 was Paddyfote with a time of 25:24.0 for an eighth-place finish earning All-MEAC honors every year that he's been an Eagle. Kimutai finished 11^th in his first MEAC Championships running 25:41.2.

Completing the race for NC Central were Sebastian Dozier (19^th – 27:00.1), Ryan Chong (20^th – 27:03.0), Corey Little (26^th – 27:20.9) and Wesley Kibet (38^th – 29:28.7).

Norfolk State won the championship for the fifth year in a row (excluding 2020 Covid year) with 27 points. Delaware State took third behind the Eagles with 67 points rounding out the top three. The remaining schools finished in fourth to eighth place: Howard University (103), Morgan State University (107), the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (139), Coppin State University (162) and South Carolina State University (220).

Men's 8K Results (51 Finishers)

1. Meshack Kuyo (23:18.2) – All-MEAC, Outstanding Performer

8. Emmanuel Paddyfote (25:24.0) All-MEAC

11. Evans Kimutai (25:41.2) All-MEAC

19. Sebastian Dozier (27:00.1)

20. Ryan Chong (27:03.0)

26. Corey Little (27:20.9)

38. Wesley Kibet (29:28.7)

WOMEN'S TEAM – Third (91 points)

On the women's team, the Eagles had two All-MEAC performances from juniors Kayla Johnson and Laila Jackson. Johnson ran a new personal record of 18:59.6 breaking the 19-minute mark for 11^th place.

Jackson has previously earned All-MEAC honors and ran a time of 19:02.3 for a new personal record in the 5K as well finishing right behind Johnson in 12^th. Sophomore Alitza Dennard finished just outside of All-MEAC contention in 16^th with a time of 19:21.1.

Completing the finishers for the women's team were Sharon Magut (22^nd – 19:52.5), Gianna Marquez (30^th – 20:38.9), Taylor Hanson (36^th – 22:02.7) and Navi McDowell (38^th – 22:10.8).   

For the second straight year, Norfolk State won the MEAC women's championship with total of 25 points. In second was Howard with 39 points. Following the Eagles in fourth through eighth were Morgan State (103), Delaware State (121), UMES (133), Coppin State (225) and South Carolina State (231).  

Women's 5K Results (53 Finishers)

11)Kayla Johnson (18:59.6) All-MEAC

12)Laila Jackson (19:02.3) All-MEAC

16)Alitza Dennard (19:21.1)

22)Sharon Magut (19:52.5)

30)Gianna Marquez (20:38.9)

36)Taylor Hanson (22:02.7)

38)Navi McDowell (22:10.8)

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