NORFOLK, Va. – Eight North Carolina Central runners earned MEAC Cross Country All-Academic honors on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

The MEAC recognized Alitza Dennard, Laila Jackson, Gianna Marquez, Navi McDowell, Victoria Swepson, Ryan Chong, Evans Kimutai and Emmanuel Paddyfote. They were among 72 student-athletes from eight member institutions highlighted for their exceptional scholastic achievements during the 2025-26 academic year. 

To be eligible for All-Academic recognition, MEAC sophomore, junior, and senior student-athletes must hold a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Transfer student-athletes who have been in residence at their respective institutions for at least one year are also eligible for selection.

The MEAC academic awards were announced the week of the conference cross country championships, which will take place at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C., on Saturday, Nov. 1.

Listed below are the 2025 MEAC Cross Country All-Academic honorees by institution:

Coppin State (7)  
Kaima Davenport-White 
Halitie Hor 
Gifty Oku 
Tracey Riley 
Asa Francis 
Abdul Razak 
Etiam Torgbenu 
 
Delaware State (17)  
Cloe Cauley 
Jadyn Comer 
Merasia Johnson 
Ava Larkin 
Mayla Milsteaad 
Mila Milstead 
Jullia Saleur 
Reut Shahar 
Ansolei Taliaferro 
Sabreeya Travis 
Lison Ziegler 
Tyler Blandin 
Ian Cain 
Nathan Donaldson 
Marian Drazan 
Da'Shawn Keller 
Mugo Waweru 
 
Howard (9)  
Chandaniey Boyce 
Mira Martin 
Chloe Poindexter 
Kendall Robinson 
Sarah Seam 
Orlaan Winston 
Tiffany Mugubi 
Kobe Hutson 
Adams Odhiabmbo 
 
Maryland Eastern Shore (9)  
Mckenzie Alibey 
Sharly Cherop 
Rihanna Gayle 
Rebecca Jepngtich 
Shenell Simms 
Destiny Emuze 
David Martin 
Fdelis Osunkwo 
Jalen Ridgeway 
 
Morgan State (5)  
Hemetii Apet 
Crystal Coke 
Aaliyah Headley 
Caleeb Mincey 
Samuel Skinner 
 
Norfolk State (5)  
Abigael Chebet 
Amira Dailey 
Sonia Koech 
Jahmei Wyatt 
Basil Koech 
 
North Carolina Central (8)  
Alitza Dennard 
Laila Jackson 
Gianna Marquez 
Navi McDowell 
Victoria Swepson 
Ryan Chong 
Evans Kimutai 
Emmanuel Paddyfote 
 
South Carolina State (12)  
Emani Asbury 
Nevaeah Campbell 
Sydney Cooper 
Azaiyah Phillips 
Makayla Toussaint 
TyQwaisia Williams 
Makenzie Edwards 
Isaiah Campbell 
Kemal Forbes 
Kenton George 
Isaiah Johnson 
Andrew Latimer 


For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.