CARY, N.C. --- The Norfolk State cross country teams aim to repeat as MEAC champions this weekend at the 2025 MEAC Cross Country Championships, set for Saturday, Nov. 1, at WakeMed Park in Cary, N.C.
 
The Event
North Carolina Central University will host the championships, with live coverage available on ESPN+ beginning at 11 a.m. The women's 5K starts at 11 a.m., followed by the men's 8K at noon.
 
The top 15 finishers in each race will earn All-MEAC honors. The meet includes the other seven MEAC institutions: Coppin State, Delaware State, Howard, Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State, North Carolina Central, and South Carolina State.
 
Outlook – Norfolk State Men
Norfolk State will pursue its sixth straight MEAC title, marking the second-longest championship streak in conference history, behind NSU's run from 2000–06.
 
Ian Kimutai leads the MEAC in the 8K this season with a time of 24:06.30 at the Pirate XC Invitational. He also earned a weekly MEAC award after the UMES Season Opener.
 
Matthew Kipkoech ranks second in the conference with a time of 23:15.70, followed by Lewis Too in fourth at 24:50.60. Basil Koech holds the eighth-best mark (25:30.80), and Jemmel Green ranks ninth (25:32.30).
 
Outlook – Norfolk State Women
The Spartan women seek their third consecutive MEAC title and fifth in the past six seasons.
 
Sonia Koech leads the team with the fourth-fastest time in the MEAC this year, running 18:45.10 at the Virginia Invitational. She also earned a weekly MEAC award after the UMES Season Opener.
 
Abigael Chebet ranks 10th in the conference at 19:24.40. Amira Dailey holds the 22nd-best time at 20:31.10, while Moamiky Kenneh ranks 28th with a mark of 20:54.90.
 
Academic Honors
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference announced its 2025 Cross Country All-Academic Team on Thursday morning, recognizing student-athletes for excellence in the classroom.
 
To be eligible for All-Academic recognition, MEAC sophomore, junior, and senior student-athletes must hold a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Transfer student-athletes who have been in residence at their respective institutions for at least one year are also eligible for selection. 
 
Norfolk State placed five athletes on the list: Abigael Chebet, Amira Dailey, Sonia Koech, Jahmei Wyatt, and Basil Koech.
 
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