Meet: Blue Bear Invitational
Location: Salisbury, N.C.
Results: Click Here

The Short Story
The Winston-Salem State University men's and women's cross-country teams opened the 2026 season with strong performances, highlighted by a first-place finish from the women's team. The Rams captured the team title in the 3,000-meter race with 30 points, finishing ahead of North Carolina A&T (37 points), while the men's team placed fifth in the 5,000-meter race with 121 points.

The Finish Line
Senior Rainn Sheppard led the women's squad with a second-place finish, crossing the line in 11:28.2. Senior Ann Badawi followed in third place with a time of 11:40.9, while senior Elicia Bryant finished fifth in 12:10.6. Sophomore Ava Millner rounded out the Rams' top four with a sixth-place finish in 12:24.8.

Junior La Tanya Johnson finished 14th in 13:15.8, followed by junior Kayla Nobles in 20th at 13:40.1. Sophomore Leigh Wills placed 25th with a time of 14:20.1, while junior Simone Kelly finished 29th in 14:46.3.

On the men's side, freshman Zion Green paced the Rams in his collegiate debut, finishing 13th overall in 20:10.0. Freshman Kaden Hines followed in 15th at 20:51.0. Sophomore Jyyheir Morrison finished 24th in 23:08.8, while freshmen Khalil Battle and Jordan Gardner placed 34th and 35th, respectively, with times of 24:48.3 and 24:56.0.

Up Next
The Rams will return to action Friday, Sept. 25, when Winston-Salem State hosts the Rams Atlantic Region Preview in Kernersville, N.C. The meet is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.

For more information on Winston-Salem State Athletics and its 12 varsity sports, visit wssurams.com.