CARY, N.C. — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore cross country program concluded its 2026 conference postseason Friday afternoon at the MEAC Championships, with the men's team placing third overall. It marked the program's first top-three finish at the conference championships since 2019. The women's team finished eighth.

The men opened the day's competition with an 8K led by senior Banele Mkabela, who placed sixth with a time of 24:38.7. Junior Nkanyezi Ziqubu followed in seventh at 24:44.6, while senior Siyabonga Mbatha rounded out the Hawks' top three with an 11th-place finish in 25:03.6.

On the women's side, junior Rihanna Gayle led the Hawks in the 5K with a time of 23:37.3. Freshman Lila Moore followed with a time of 25:39.03, while classmate Ketarah Johnson rounded out the top three for UMES in 26:04.7.

Three Hawks earned All-MEAC honors for their performances, with Mkabela, Ziqubu and Mbatha each finishing among the top 15 in the men's race.

As a team, the UMES men finished third with 87 points, while the women placed eighth with 213 points.

Women's 5K Team Standings

1. Howard – 23 points
2. Norfolk State – 65 points
3. Delaware State – 76 points
4. Morgan State – 121 points
5. North Carolina Central – 127 points
6. Coppin State – 139 points
7. South Carolina State – 171 points
8. Maryland Eastern Shore – 213 points

Men's 8K Team Standings

1. Norfolk State – 35 points
2. Delaware State – 62 points
3. Maryland Eastern Shore – 87 points
4. Howard – 93 points
5. Coppin State – 128 points
6. North Carolina Central – 168 points
7. South Carolina State – 170 points
8. Morgan State – 182 points

All-MEAC Women's Team
The top 15 finishers earned All-MEAC honors.

1. Veronica Jesang, Norfolk State – 18:21.8
2. Alexis Jones, Howard – 18:36.7
3. Mira Martin, Howard – 18:53.0
4. Sharon Magut, North Carolina Central – 19:07.6
5. Ester Kirk, Howard – 19:16.8
6. Chloe Poindexter, Howard – 19:17.8
7. Kylee King, Howard – 19:18.5
8. Navi McDowell, North Carolina Central – 19:30.5
9. Breeya Conwell, Howard – 19:38.3
10. Abigael Chebet, Norfolk State – 19:40.7
11. Mileah Cotton, Delaware State – 19:53.3
12. Sarah Seam, Howard – 20:02.4
13. Cherish Ray, Delaware State – 20:03.1
14. Amira Dailey, Norfolk State – 20:10.2
15. Kendall Robinson, Howard – 20:17.6

All-MEAC Men's Team
The top 15 finishers earned All-MEAC honors.

1. Aaron Alukunyang, North Carolina Central – 23:44.8
2. Clinton Kipruto, Norfolk State – 23:57.3
3. Ian Kimutai, Norfolk State – 24:11.0
4. Marian Drazan, Delaware State – 24:29.0
5. Lekan Sotonwa, Delaware State – 24:38.5
6. Banele Mkabela, Maryland Eastern Shore – 24:38.7
7. Nkanyezi Ziqubu, Maryland Eastern Shore – 24:44.6
8. Daniel Mathenge, Norfolk State – 24:56.0
9. Mohammed Mrahi, Norfolk State – 24:58.6
10. Tinashe Bure, South Carolina State – 25:00.8
11. Siyabonga Mbatha, Maryland Eastern Shore – 25:03.6
12. Jonathan Drew, Delaware State – 25:11.7
13. Jemmel Green, Norfolk State – 25:22.7
14. Noah Douglas, Howard – 25:27.0
15. Paul Robinson, Howard – 25:37.0

For complete results from the MEAC Championships, visit the links below:
Women's Results: https://blueridgetiming.live/meets/79005/events/xc/2939609
Men's Results: https://blueridgetiming.live/meets/79005/events/xc/2939608

For updates on UMES cross country and track and field, visit UMESHawkSports.com and follow the team on X (@UMESHawkTFXC) and Instagram (@umeshawktfxc).