Meet: 2026 CIAA Cross Country Championships
Location: Salem, Va.
Results: Click Here
The Short Story
The Winston-Salem State University men's and women's cross-country teams competed at the 2026 CIAA Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 22, in Salem, Virginia. The women's team earned a runner-up finish in the conference standings, placing second with 52 points, while the men's team finished ninth with 243 points.
Senior Ann Badawi led the women's Rams with a second-place individual finish, while Winston-Salem State placed four runners in the top 10. Fayetteville State captured both team championships.
The Finish Line
Senior Badawi paced the women's team with a runner-up finish in the 5K, crossing the line in 18:41.0 to record a season-best performance. Badawi finished behind Fayetteville State's Faith Kiplimo, who won the individual championship in 18:10.1.
Senior Rainn Sheppard followed with a seventh-place finish in 19:44.3, while senior Elicia Bryant placed eighth in 19:49.3, also recording a season-best time. Sophomore Ava Millner completed the Rams' strong top-10 showing, finishing 10th in 19:56.6 with a season-best performance.
Winston-Salem State's four top-10 finishers played a key role in securing second place in the team standings. The Rams totaled 52 points, finishing ahead of third-place Virginia Union, which scored 70 points. Fayetteville State claimed the women's team title with 25 points.
Junior La Tanya Johnson finished 25th in 22:23.5, while junior Kayla Nobles placed 28th in 22:29.4. Junior Simone Kelly rounded out the women's competitors with a 57th-place finish in 26:25.4.
On the men's side, freshman Zion Green led the Rams in the 8K, finishing 33rd in 30:46.5 and recording a personal-best time. Freshman Kaden Hines followed in 49th place in 33:25.7, also posting a personal-best performance.
Sophomore Jyyheir Morrison finished 50th in 33:39.4, while freshman Khalil Battle placed 54th in 34:55.8. Freshman Jordan Gardner completed the Rams' scoring five, finishing 68th in 38:45.1.
WSSU finished ninth in the men's team standings with 243 points. Fayetteville State secured the men's championship with 23 points, followed by Virginia Union with 32 and Virginia State with 99.
For more information on Winston-Salem State Athletics and its 12 varsity sports, visit wssurams.com
