SALISBURY, Md. — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore cross country program opened its 2026 campaign at the Salisbury University Fall Classic on Saturday afternoon.

Senior Banele Mkabela highlighted the Hawks' season debut, placing third in the men's 8K with a time of 24:57.0. Junior Rihanna Gayle led the Hawks on the women's side, finishing in 29:34.9.

Behind Mkabela was senior Siyabonga Mbatha, who placed 15th with a time of 26:11.7.

On the women's side, three Hawks finished consecutively: freshmen Adilia Trim, Khetarah Johnson and Kyla Fleming with times of 33:43.9, 34:16.5 and 36:16.5, respectively.

Final scores for the women's 6k:
Navy: 21
George Mason: 47
Salisbury: 67
Regent University: 125
District of Columbia: 149
Maryland Eastern Shore: 161

Final scores for the men's 8k:
George Mason: 19
Navy: 36
Salisbury: 82
Regent University: 120

Times from the women's race are as follows:
 

Place	Name	Team	Time	Score
1	Brianne Duynstee	Navy	21:04.2	+1
2	Emily Downing	Navy	21:10.5	+2
3	Anna Bodmer	Salisbury	21:17.5	+3
4	Ailbhe Barnes	George Mason	21:33.8	+4
5	Caroline Carter	Navy	21:34.2	+5
6	Lucy Myers	Navy	21:45.3	+6
7	Sam Vanderhave	Navy	21:46.0	+7
8	Amelie Loomis	Navy	21:53.9	+8
9	Kara Mickelson	George Mason	21:53.9	+9
10	Sarah Clark	George Mason	22:00.3	+10

Times from the men's race are as follows:
 

Place	Name	Team	Time	Score
1	Alec Deroussel	George Mason	24:51.6	+1
2	Tarek Benlamkaddem	George Mason	24:53.8	+2
3	Banele Mkabela	Maryland Eastern Shore	24:57.0	+3
4	Biruk Beardsley	George Mason	25:05.7	+4
5	Jackson Hefty	Navy	25:11.4	+5
6	Daniel Hayes	George Mason	25:25.1	+6
7	Jacob Officer	Navy	25:31.5	+7
8	Wes Anderson	Navy	25:42.0	+8
9	Kolbin Heberlig	George Mason	25:43.5	+9
10	Carson Fischer	Navy	25:46.8	+10

For full results and performances from the Salisbury University Fall Classic, visit 

Women's - https://live.usp-sports.com/meets/76944/events/xc/2910782
Men's -  https://live.usp-sports.com/meets/76944/events/xc/2910783
 
For updates on UMES cross country and track & field, visit UMESHawkSports.com and follow the team on Twitter (@UMESHawkTFXC) and Instagram (@umeshawktfxc).