CARY, N.C. – North Carolina Central was outstanding in the 2025 Cedric Walker HBCU Cross Country Challenge at WakeMed Soccer Park on Friday.
For the first time in school history, the Eagles captured the women's 5K HBCU title after edging fellow MEAC member Maryland Eastern Shore 62-66 in the 11-team race. It was the first championship under Fabrienne Swepson, the NCCU Interim Director of Track & Field/Cross Country.
NCCU also fared well in the men's 8K HBCU race, placing second behind Fayetteville State in the 10-team event. Fayetteville State won with 32 points followed by NCCU, which held off UMES 72-77.
EAGLES WIN AWARDS
Individually, seven Eagles took home awards for finishing among the top 20 runners in their respective races.
NCCU placed four runners in the women's top 20 including
Alitza Dennard, who placed sixth to lead the Eagles.
Kayla Johnson was right behind her in seventh and the duo of
Laila Jackson and
Navi McDowell were 13
th and 14
th respectively.
For the men,
Ryan Chong ended the race with a strong kick to claim seventh place for the Eagles.
Emmanuel Paddyfote was two runners back in ninth place and
Avan Hinkle crossed the finish line in 14
th place.
WOMEN'S 5K RACE
Four Eagles recorded times under 20 minutes led by Dennard. But it was
Gianna Marquez, whose time was over the 20-minute mark, who sealed the victory for the Eagles. For her efforts, Marquez received the women's top fifth-runner award for helping the Eagles slip past UMES.
MEN'S 8K RACE
Though they fell short of winning their second straight HBCU title, the Eagles were impressive, nonetheless. Chong's time of 25.49.4 is a personal best as he and Paddyfote finished among the top 10 runners. Hinkle placed among the top 15 in his first collegiate 8K race. Overall, all five NCCU runners who scored were among the top 25 finishers.
COACH SWEPSON'S QUOTE
"The results probably came out better than I possibly could have imagined. However, the effort that each student-athlete put into leading up to this came into fruition today. They all worked tirelessly hard since the beginning of the year. We had some challenges, we had some bumps, some things we had to overcome along the way but they were able to rally together, run as a team and finish with success across the board. I am exceptionally proud of the new addition on the team, Coach [Curtis] Pittman, who came in and brought some fantastic workouts to our group that have really, really pushed them beyond what they thought they would be able to do. They are soaring right now as Eagles should."
NCCU WOMEN'S 5K RESULTS
6
TH –
Alitza Dennard – 19:26.6
7
th –
Kayla Johnson – 19:30.6
13
th –
Laila Jackson – 19:53.0
14
th –
Navi McDowell – 19:57.8 (personal best)
22
nd –
Gianna Marquez – 20:55.5
23
rd –
Victoria Swepson – 20:58.2
(69 women's runners competed)
Top 3 Women's Team Results
1. NCCU – 62
2. UMES – 66
3. Fayetteville State – 79
NCCU MEN'S 8K RESULTS
7
TH –
Ryan Chong – 25.49.4 (personal best)
9
th –
Emmanuel Paddyfote – 25.58.5
14
th –
Avan Hinkle – 26:32.0
21
st –
Evans Kimutai – 27:08.5
24
th –
Juan Tinajero Jr. – 27:39.4
53
rd –
Kyllen Weathers – 31:51.1
Top 3 Men's Team Results
1. Fayetteville State – 32
2. NCCU – 72
3. UMES – 77
UP NEXT
The Eagles will run in their last regular-season meet on Friday, Oct. 10, at the Royals Challenge in Charlotte, N.C. The first race starts at 3:30 p.m.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
