Norfolk State Clinches Back-to-Back Women’s MEAC Cross Country Title; Howard’s Joslyn Crosby Sets New Record

SMYRNA, Del. (Nov. 2, 2024) – Norfolk State’s women’s cross-country team made history today at the MEAC Women’s Cross Country Championship, successfully defending their title and claiming their fifth overall with an impressive display of speed, strategy, and teamwork. Led by head coach Kenneth Giles, who was named the meet’s Outstanding Coach, the Spartans dominated the Delaware State Outreach and Research Center course, placing five runners in the top 10 and scoring a total of 25 points.

HBCU Original was on-site to capture the thrilling energy as Norfolk State showcased their depth. Senior standout Mercyline Kimaiyo and her teammate Yvonne Sandui set a blistering pace, finishing second and third, with Kimaiyo clocking an impressive 17:24.5 and Sandui close behind at 17:42.1. Fellow Spartan Leanna Lewis added a solid fifth-place finish with a time of 18:06, while Sonia Koech and Abigael Chebet rounded out Norfolk’s top placements in sixth and ninth, sealing the championship victory.

Yet, it was Howard University’s Joslyn Crosby who stole the show individually. Crosby blazed across the finish line at 17:15.1, shattering last year’s fastest time by over a minute to clinch the individual gold and earn the Outstanding Performer title. Her record-breaking performance had the crowd on its feet and established Crosby as the MEAC’s elite runner for 2024. Her teammate, Mira Martin, also delivered a strong performance, securing fourth place with a time of 18:12.2.

Howard fought hard, amassing 39 team points for a respectable second-place finish. Alongside Crosby and Martin, Camille Egbula (18:34.7) and Chloe Poindexter (18:51.0) finished in the top ten, rounding out a stellar showing for the Bison.

Maryland Eastern Shore’s Rebecca Jepngtich broke into the leaderboard as well, claiming eighth place with a time of 18:46.7. North Carolina Central rounded out the top three teams with 91 points, backed by strong performances from Kayla Johnson and Laila Jackson, who both earned All-MEAC honors.

The 2024 MEAC Cross Country Championship highlighted not only Norfolk State’s program dominance but also Howard’s rising stars, setting the stage for intense competition next season. With Crosby’s record-breaking run and Norfolk’s team supremacy, HBCU cross-country fans have plenty to look forward to as these runners continue to make their mark.

All-MEAC Honors were awarded to the top 15 finishers, showcasing the best talent in the conference. Among them were:

• Outstanding Performer: Joslyn Crosby, Howard
• Outstanding Coach: Kenneth Giles, Norfolk State

All-MEAC Team:

• Joslyn Crosby (Howard)
• Mercyline Kimaiyo (Norfolk State)
• Yvonne Sandui (Norfolk State)
• Mira Martin (Howard)
• Leanna Lewis (Norfolk State)
• Sonia Koech (Norfolk State)
• Camille Egbula (Howard)
• Rebecca Jepngtich (Maryland Eastern Shore)
• Abigael Chebet (Norfolk State)
• Chloe Poindexter (Howard)
• Kayla Johnson (North Carolina Central)
• Laila Jackson (North Carolina Central)
• Emani Thompson (Norfolk State)
• Abigail Fisher (Morgan State)
• Ashley Lagat (Delaware State)

As the sun set over Smyrna, the echoes of cheers for Crosby’s unprecedented run and Norfolk State’s powerful finish lingered in the air. This year’s MEAC Championship served as a testament to the talent and determination of HBCU athletes, and HBCU Original was proud to bring fans every stride, every sprint, and every win from the ground level.