CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Winston-Salem State's Rainn Sheppard has been named CIAA Female Performer of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday afternoon.

Sheppard turned in a standout performance at the Blue Bear Invitational on Friday, Sept. 11, at Salisbury Community Park in Salisbury, N.C., finishing second individually in the women's 3,000-meter race with a time of 11:28.2.

The senior's performance helped lead the Rams to the women's team championship, as Winston-Salem State finished with 30 points, seven points ahead of second-place North Carolina A&T. Sheppard was one of five Rams to finish among the top 20 individually, joining Ann Badawi, Elicia Bryant, Ava Millner and La Tanya Johnson.

"Rainn has stepped into this new season with new motivation and new standards," said WSSU head coach Antonio Wells. "She understands the background work of XC and is really laying the foundation for her year."

Sheppard's runner-up finish highlighted a strong showing by the Rams, who placed four runners among the top six finishers. Badawi finished third in 11:40.9, Bryant placed fifth in 12:10.6 and Millner finished sixth in 12:24.8. Johnson rounded out the Rams' scoring five with a 14th-place finish in 13:15.8.

The honor marks the first CIAA weekly recognition of the 2026 season for Sheppard.

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