CHARLOTTE, NC (October 14, 2025) - Week six of CIAA cross country showcased incredible endurance and standout performances, with familiar faces once again rising to the top. Runners battled challenging courses and fierce competition, leaving everything on the line for their teams.
Male Performer of the Week - Brian Kiprop, Fayetteville State
Sophomore Brian Kiprop continued his outstanding season with a standout effort at the Queens Royals Cross Country Challenge. Kiprop finished second overall in the men’s 8,000-meter gold race, crossing the line in an impressive 24:15.29. His performance ranks among the fastest times in the CIAA this season and showcased his combination of strength, strategy, and consistency. Kiprop’s continued excellence underscores his importance to Fayetteville State’s men’s cross country squad and his potential to compete at the highest levels throughout the season.
Female Performer of the Week - Faith Kiplomo, Fayetteville State
Freshman Faith Kiplimo delivered a spectacular performance at the Queens Royals Cross Country Challenge, leading the Fayetteville State Lady Broncos in the highly competitive women’s 5,000-meter gold race. Kiplimo crossed the finish line in a personal-best time of 17:53.05, earning an impressive 16th-place overall finish against a deep and talented field. Her performance not only highlighted her speed and endurance but also demonstrated her growing impact as a first-year runner, signaling a bright future for Fayetteville State’s cross country program.
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.