CHARLOTTE, NC (October 23, 2025) — The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®) concluded the 55th Annual CIAA Cross Country Championship on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Green Hill Park in Salem, Virginia, hosted by Livingstone College. Fayetteville State University achieved a historic sweep, capturing both the men’s and women’s team titles, producing the top individual finishers, and earning both CIAA Runners of the Year honors. It marks the first time in CIAA Cross Country Championship history that one institution has claimed all four distinctions in the same season.
Complete championship results are available at SnapTiming.com.
Fayetteville State’s Championship Sweep
Fayetteville State’s 2025 performance was one for the record books. The Broncos made history as the first program ever to win both men’s and women’s titles in the same championship, while also producing the individual champions on both sides and the conference’s Runners of the Year.
The Lady Broncos captured their eighth consecutive CIAA Women’s Cross Country Championship, further cementing their legacy as one of Division II’s most dominant programs. On the men’s side, Fayetteville State reclaimed the top spot for the first time since 2023, powered by exceptional depth.
In an elite display of dominance, both Fayetteville State teams placed their top two runners first and second overall and had four runners finish inside the top five in each race, underscoring the balance, strategy, and consistency that have defined their rise under Head Coach Inez Turner.
Turner was named CIAA Coach of the Year for both the men’s and women’s teams, further illustrating her continued leadership and influence across both programs.
Men’s Championship Recap
Fayetteville State captured the 2025 CIAA Men’s Cross Country Championship behind a strong, balanced effort that featured five top-ten finishes. Junior Brian Kiprop led from the front, earning the individual title with a time of 24:19.7 and closing his season as one of the most consistent runners in the conference.
Kiprop’s victory capped a 1–2–4–5–10 team finish that set the tone early. Sophomore Franklin Kipchirchir took second overall in 24:23.0 to complete a Fayetteville State 1–2 finish, while Rodger Korir of Virginia Union placed third in 25:21.8 to lead the Panthers and help secure their team runner-up finish. Dominic Malel and Rowny Kipchirchir completed the top five to seal Fayetteville State’s team title.
The Broncos posted 22 total points, followed by Virginia Union University with 84 points and Virginia State University with 85 points, marking one of the most competitive team podiums in recent CIAA history.
Top 3 Men’s Team Finishes
Fayetteville State University – 22 points
Virginia Union University – 84 points
Virginia State University – 85 points
Top 15 Men’s Finishers
Brian Kiprop – Fayetteville State (24:19.7)
Franklin Kipchirchir – Fayetteville State (24:23.0)
Rodger Korir – Virginia Union (25:21.8)
Dominic Malel – Fayetteville State (26:08.4)
Rowny Kipchirchir – Fayetteville State (26:26.2)
Emmanuel Kipchirchir – Virginia State (26:45.1)
Darryl Hawkins – Virginia Union (26:54.2)
Emmanuel Williams – Virginia State (26:58.5)
Graysen Manning – Claflin (27:13.0)
Ian Kiprono – Fayetteville State (27:16.3)
Brandon Jeffers – Livingstone (27:52.4)
Collin Serem – Fayetteville State (28:29.3)
Jakarriez Sanders – Claflin (28:33.2)
Keon Koonce – Virginia Union (28:42.7)
Romeo Kipkosgei – Fayetteville State (28:44.8)
Men’s Individual Champion: Brian Kiprop – Fayetteville State (24:19.7)
Men’s Team Champion: Fayetteville State University
Men’s Coach of the Year: Inez Turner – Fayetteville State
Women’s Championship Recap
The Fayetteville State women’s team continued its impressive run, claiming its eighth consecutive CIAA Women’s Cross Country Championship with another dominant performance. The Lady Broncos placed seven runners in the top ten, led by freshman Faith Kiplimo, who won the individual title in her debut season with the program.
Kiplimo, from Eldoret, Kenya, clocked 18:12.9 to secure the top spot, followed closely by teammates Videlma Jebet (18:43.5) and Pelisha Kosgei (18:52.0). Their podium sweep gave the Lady Broncos a commanding early lead. Rose Muturi of Virginia State broke up the Fayetteville State pack in fourth, while senior Nia Gibson rounded out the top five in 19:35.5.
Fayetteville State finished with 19 points, its lowest team total in five years, followed by Winston-Salem State University with 84 points and Virginia Union University with 120 points to round out the top three programs.
Top 3 Women’s Team Finishes
Fayetteville State University – 19 points
Winston-Salem State University – 84 points
Virginia Union University – 120 points
Top 15 Women’s Finishers
Faith Kiplimo – Fayetteville State (18:12.9)
Videlma Jebet – Fayetteville State (18:43.5)
Pelisha Kosgei – Fayetteville State (18:52.0)
Rose Muturi – Virginia State (19:00.7)
Nia Gibson – Fayetteville State (19:35.5)
Natalie Young – Virginia Union (19:38.5)
Ava Millner – Winston-Salem State (19:42.1)
Brenda Cheboi – Fayetteville State (20:16.4)
Abijah Jepkemboi – Virginia Union (20:22.0)
Ashley Bell – Fayetteville State (20:25.6)
Thea Schillaci – Shaw (20:30.7)
Elicia Bryant – Winston-Salem State (20:37.6)
Repline Cheptoo – Fayetteville State (20:50.4)
Ananda Hamlin – Virginia State (20:56.0)
Jaiyah Nelson – Winston-Salem State (21:06.1)
Women’s Individual Champion: Faith Kiplimo – Fayetteville State (18:12.9)
Women’s Team Champion: Fayetteville State University
Women’s Coach of the Year: Inez Turner – Fayetteville State
Regular Season Runners of the Year
The CIAA recognized Fayetteville State’s Brian Kiprop and Faith Kiplimo as the 2025 CIAA Runners of the Year, honoring their consistent performances throughout the regular season and their championship-winning efforts.
Men’s Runner of the Year: Brian Kiprop, Fayetteville State (Junior/Eldoret, Kenya)
Kiprop solidified his status as the top men’s distance runner in the CIAA with a season defined by precision, pace, and consistency. The Fayetteville State junior earned CIAA Runner of the Week honors twice (Weeks 5 and 6) and captured multiple top finishes, including a first-place victory at the Cedric Walker HBCU Challenge and a runner-up finish at the Queens Royals Challenge. His championship performance in Salem punctuated a season that helped Fayetteville State capture its first men’s title since 2023.
Women’s Runner of the Year: Faith Kiplimo, Fayetteville State (Freshman/Eldoret, Kenya)
In her debut collegiate season, Kiplimo quickly emerged as one of the CIAA’s brightest young talents. The Fayetteville State freshman earned three CIAA Runner of the Week honors (Weeks 1, 5, and 6) and delivered standout results throughout the fall, including a second-place finish at the Cedric Walker HBCU Challenge and a top-20 showing at the Queens Royals Challenge. Her championship victory in Salem not only secured her first CIAA individual crown but also anchored Fayetteville State’s eighth consecutive women’s team title.
Freddie Vaughn Academic Award
The CIAA also recognized its 2024–2025 Freddie Vaughn Academic Award winners, honoring institutions with the highest team GPA in each sport.
“We are proud to recognize the outstanding academic achievements of our student-athletes over the past year,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker. “The Freddie Vaughn Academic Award honors the institution with the highest team GPA in each sport.”
Women’s Cross Country: Shaw University, 3.95 GPA
Men’s Cross Country: Lincoln (PA) University, 3.68 GPA
Looking Ahead
With the 55th Annual CIAA Cross Country Championship complete, teams will look to compete in NCAA Division II regional competition.
For full championship results, visit SnapTiming.com.
Media Contact:
Anna M. Butzlaff
Associate Commissioner, Strategic Communications
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
abutzlaff@theciaa.com
About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®) is the first, and longest-running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.