HBCU Original’s Cross Country Watch List: 25 Runners Making Their Mark This Fall

Individual victories, school records and breakout performances are putting HBCU distance runners in the spotlight this fall.

HBCU Original’s latest watch list highlights 25 men’s and women’s runners representing the HBCUAC, MEAC, SIAC, SWAC and CIAA. These athletes have earned attention through meet results and conference recognition as the season moves deeper into October.

About this list: Selections reflect reported performances and weekly awards available through October 7, 2026. Athletes are grouped by men’s and women’s competition and are not listed in ranked order. Course conditions, distances and competition levels differ, so this is an editorial watch list rather than an official national poll.

Men’s runners to watch

Clinton Kipruto — Norfolk State | MEAC

Kipruto delivered an impressive victory at the Virginia Invitational, covering the 6K course in 17:39.0. The freshman’s second consecutive win came against a field that included a strong North Carolina contingent, giving Norfolk State a standout early-season result.

Ryan Achau — Jackson State | SWAC

Achau continued his winning run at the Nicholls Invitational, completing the four-mile race in 20:01.0 for his third consecutive individual victory. The freshman also collected his third SWAC weekly award, making him a compelling newcomer to follow.

Franklin Kipchirchir — Fayetteville State | CIAA

Kipchirchir has delivered both fast times and winning finishes. He placed second at the Queen City Invite with an 8K time of 24:45.5 before winning the Rams Atlantic Region Preview in 25:29.9.

Edwin Kiprono — Tuskegee | SIAC

Kiprono earned his third individual victory of the season at Twilight at PR’ville, finishing in 24:32.4. His roughly 30-second winning margin added another strong result to a season already featuring repeated trips to the front of the field.

Aaron Alukunyang — North Carolina Central | MEAC

Alukunyang won the Elon Opener’s 6K race in 18:57.6, finishing first in a field of 131 runners. He followed that performance with another victory at the Queen City Invite, winning the 8K race by 37 seconds.

Allan Kipkorir — Virginia Union | CIAA

The Virginia Union freshman claimed the CNU XC Invite title with an 8K performance of 25:33.4. That victory brought CIAA weekly recognition and gives Panthers fans a young runner to watch as the season progresses.

Hassan Kiplangat — Morehouse | SIAC

Kiplangat finished second at the Willie Laster Invitational, covering 8K in 28:03.5. The freshman helped Morehouse secure second place in the team standings and earned SIAC Runner of the Week recognition.

Javoun Goldsby — Wiley | HBCUAC

Goldsby has earned repeated HBCUAC recognition this season, with Wiley announcing his third Runner of the Week honor in early October. Those awards put him firmly on the radar as a runner to follow in the conference.

Jordan Ellman-Sanders — Voorhees | HBCUAC

Ellman-Sanders secured a ninth-place finish at the Winthrop Invitational and earned HBCUAC Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week honors. The freshman’s top-10 performance gives Voorhees an encouraging individual result entering October.

Lekan Sotonwa — Delaware State | MEAC

Sotonwa defended home ground with a victory at the Delaware State Invitational. His winning 5K time of 15:14.4 supplied the Hornets with a strong individual highlight.

Banele Mkabela — Maryland Eastern Shore | MEAC

Mkabela opened with a third-place finish at the Salisbury Fall Classic, completing the 8K course in 24:57.0. As the Hawks’ leading finisher, he provided an early example of the scoring impact he can bring to the lineup.

Aden Ortega — Texas Southern | SWAC

Ortega recorded a time of 26:12.1 at the Chile Pepper Festival, earning recognition as the fastest SWAC freshman at the meet. The performance brought him the conference’s newcomer award.

Thierry Garcon — Prairie View A&M | SWAC

Garcon won the Bearkat Twilight with a time of 16:04.6 and earned SWAC Runner of the Week honors. The senior’s victory gave Prairie View A&M an individual title to build on early in the season.

Women’s runners to watch

Laura Avila — Alabama A&M | SWAC

Avila won her race at the Louisville Classic, completing the 5K in 18:20.2. Her performance helped Alabama A&M secure its third consecutive team victory and earned her SWAC Runner of the Week recognition.

Faith Kiplimo — Fayetteville State | CIAA

Kiplimo placed second at the Rams Atlantic Region Preview with a 6K time of 22:37.3. The sophomore’s podium finish earned CIAA weekly recognition and added to Fayetteville State’s strong showing on the distance course.

Rebecca Jansen — Delaware State | MEAC

Jansen captured the Delaware State Invitational title with a 5K time of 19:33.3. Finishing first among 44 runners, the sophomore delivered a home victory and earned MEAC Runner of the Week honors.

Alaysa Chipunov — Edward Waters | SIAC

Chipunov won the Brewton Parker Invitational in 20:39.52 over 5K. The freshman’s individual title helped Edward Waters finish third as a team and earned her SIAC weekly recognition.

Aliyah Williams — Alabama State | SWAC

Williams finished third at the Azalea City Classic with a season-best time of 18:32.57. The graduate runner collected her second consecutive SWAC Runner of the Week award following that performance.

Mira Martin — Howard | MEAC

Martin finished second at the Mount 5K Duals in 19:05.53, helping Howard capture the team title. Her podium finish also brought MEAC weekly honors.

Brea Vann — Albany State | SIAC

Vann posted a personal-best 6K time of 23:46.1 at the Georgia Tech XC Invitational. She finished 68th in a field of 147 runners and received the SIAC’s October 6 weekly award.

Crystal Coke — Morgan State | MEAC

Coke won the UMES Soaring Hawks Invitational in 21:24.86 and helped Morgan State take the team title. The senior’s victory earned MEAC Runner of the Week recognition.

Iyndia Bey — Alabama A&M | SWAC

Bey finished inside the top eight of her Louisville Classic race, recording a 5K time of 19:02.5. The freshman earned her second SWAC newcomer award while contributing to another Alabama A&M team victory.

Miranda McLean — Lincoln University (PA) | CIAA

McLean placed fourth at the UMES Invitational in 22:08.57. The senior helped Lincoln finish third in the team standings and received CIAA weekly recognition for her effort.

Rainn Sheppard — Winston-Salem State | CIAA

Sheppard finished second at the Blue Bear Invitational, covering the 3K course in 11:28.2. Her performance helped Winston-Salem State claim the team championship with 30 points.

Diosleydis Gutierrez — Allen | SIAC

Gutierrez made an immediate impact in her cross-country debut, setting a school record at the Yellow Jacket Invitational. The sophomore’s first race brought SIAC Runner of the Week honors and a memorable start to her season.