CHARLOTTE, N.C. (September 23, 2025) - The CIAA’s trails were on fire this week as these cross country athletes left it all on the course, earning well-deserved recognition as Performers of the Week
Male Performer of the Week - Rodgers Korir, Virginia Union
Rodgers Korir continued his unstoppable start to the season, earning Male Performer of the Week honors as he led Virginia Union University to victory at the Blue Bear XC Invitational, hosted by Livingstone College on Friday, September 19.
Korir blazed through the five-kilometer course with a winning time of 15:38.33, claiming his third consecutive individual championship. His incredible performance set the pace for the Panthers, who captured the team title with a score of 34; 21 points ahead of the nearest competitor.
Female Performer of the Week - Abijah Jepkemboi, Virginia Union
Abijah Jepkemboi captured the women’s individual crown at the Blue Bear XC Invitational, hosted by Livingstone College on Friday, September 19, in Salisbury, N.C.
Jepkemboi powered through the 4.5-kilometer course, crossing the finish line in an impressive 17:32.54 to secure the top spot.
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, visit theciaa.com and follow the CIAA on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.