CARY, N.C. — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore cross country program concluded its 2025 postseason at the MEAC Championships on Saturday afternoon, with both the women's and men's teams placing fourth overall.
Sophomore Rebecca Jepngetich led the Hawks on the women's side, finishing fifth in 18:51.1, followed closely by junior Abigail Fisher, who placed sixth in 18:52.0.
For the men, junior Banele Mkabela raced to a strong second-place finish in 24:41.7, while junior Siyabonga Mbatha crossed the line in sixth at 25:05.4.
Four Hawks earned All-MEAC honors for their performances. Jepngetich and Fisher represented the women's team, while Mkabela and Mbatha earned recognition for the men.
Final scores for the women's 5k:
Howard: 34
Norfolk State: 54
NCCU: 71
Maryland Eastern Shore: 78
Delaware State: 126
Morgan State: 138
South Carolina State: 187
Coppin State: 211
Final scores for the men's 8k:
Norfolk State: 55
Delaware State: 70
NCCU: 91
Maryland Eastern Shore: 108
Morgan State: 110
Howard: 114
South Carolina State: 128
Coppin State: 168
Times from the women's race are as follows:
| Place |
Name |
Team |
Time |
Score |
| 1 |
Alexis Jones |
Howard |
17:49.1 |
+1 |
| 2 |
Mira Martin |
Howard |
18:18.7 |
+2 |
| 3 |
Sonia Koech |
Norfolk State |
18:31.5 |
+3 |
| 4 |
Abigael Chebet |
Norfolk State |
18:45.8 |
+4 |
| 5 |
Rebecca Jepngetich |
Maryland Eastern Shore |
18:51.1 |
+5 |
| 6 |
Abigail Fisher |
Maryland Eastern Shore |
18:52.0 |
+6 |
| 7 |
Jahmei Wyatt |
Norfolk State |
18:58.7 |
+7 |
| 8 |
Tiffany Mugubi |
Howard |
18:58.9 |
+8 |
| 9 |
Ester Kirk |
Howard |
19:00.0 |
+9 |
| 10 |
Alitza Dennard |
NCCU |
19:18.0 |
+10 |
Times from the men's race are as follows:
| Place |
Name |
Team |
Time |
Score |
| 1 |
Lewis Too |
Norfolk State |
24:20.6 |
+1 |
| 2 |
Banele Mkabela |
Maryland Eastern Shore |
24:41.7 |
+2 |
| 3 |
Mathew Kipkoech |
Norfolk State |
24:44.4 |
+3 |
| 4 |
Emmanuel Paddyfotel |
NCCU |
24:45.7 |
+4 |
| 5 |
Marian Drazan |
Delaware State |
24:49.2 |
+5 |
| 6 |
Siyabonga Mbatha |
Maryland Eastern Shore |
25:05.4 |
+6 |
| 7 |
Jonathan Drew |
Delaware State |
25:10.9 |
+7 |
| 8 |
Tinashe Bure |
South Carolina State |
25:21.4 |
+8 |
| 9 |
Caleb Mincey |
Morgan State |
25:35.8 |
+9 |
| 10 |
Jemmel Green |
Norfolk State |
25:36.4 |
+10 |
For full results and performances from the MEAC Championships, visit
Women's - https://blueridgetiming.live/meets/57477/events/xc/2152588
Men's - https://blueridgetiming.live/meets/57477/events/xc/2152587
For updates on UMES cross country and track & field, visit UMESHawkSports.com and follow the team on Twitter (@UMESHawkTFXC) and Instagram (@umeshawktfxc).
