FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Fayetteville State University's men's and women's cross country teams will travel to Salem, Virginia, this week to compete in the 56th CIAA Cross Country Championship on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, at the Green Hill Park (2500 Green Hill Park Road, Salem, Va. 24153).
The Broncos enter the championship with momentum, confidence, and two of the conference's premier runners in Franklin Kipchirchir and Faith Kiplimo, both of whom have emerged as leading candidates for CIAA Athlete of the Year honors.
Head Coach Frank Hyland believes his teams are prepared for the challenge after months of intentional preparation and a season spent competing against some of the strongest programs in NCAA Division II.
"We never think failure, and we never talk failure," Hyland said during a recent edition of FSU Going the Distance. "I'm excited about the work we've put in. Now it's about preparing ourselves mentally and being ready to compete."
Built on Unity and Confidence
Throughout the season, Hyland has emphasized unity as the foundation of the Broncos' success.
"The biggest thing we've worked on is unity," Hyland said. "Everything we did was intentional. We try to run smart, not hard. Relaxed is fast."
That philosophy has helped create a culture where every athlete understands their role and contribution to the team's success.
"This group isn't just a team, they're a program," Hyland said. "They police each other. The more they train together, the more they pull each other."
The Broncos purposely faced a challenging schedule this fall, competing against regional and national-caliber competition to prepare for championship racing.
"The goal this year was to compete against the best," Hyland said. "Every competition we went into was designed to make us better and prepare us for regionals and nationals."
Kipchirchir Headlines Men's Title Hopes
Franklin Kipchirchir enters the CIAA Championship after one of the strongest regular seasons in the conference.
The senior won the Rams Atlantic Region Preview in 25:29.9, finished 12th at the prestigious Paul Short Run Gold Race in 24:17.5, and posted a personal-best 24:12.1 at the Royals Challenge.
His 2026 success follows an exceptional 2025 campaign in which he finished second at the CIAA Championship, second at the NCAA Atlantic Regional Championship, and earned NCAA Division II All-America honors.
"He is really locked in this year," Hyland said. "He's put the work in, and I know he's going to reap the benefits when it counts the most."
Kiplimo Looking to Defend Her Crown
On the women's side, Faith Kiplimo returns to the championship course as the defending CIAA individual champion and reigning CIAA Female Runner of the Year.
The sophomore has continued her stellar form in 2026, placing second at the Rams Atlantic Region Preview before running a personal-best 17:38.6 at the Royals Challenge.
Hyland said Kiplimo's growth as both a runner and leader has been among the biggest developments for the Broncos this season.
"Before it was, 'I want to win,'" Hyland said. "Now it's, 'We want to win.'"
Her commitment to the team's success has helped elevate the entire women's program heading into the conference championship.
Championship Mindset
While Virginia Union and Winston-Salem State are expected to be among the Broncos' top competitors, Hyland wants his teams focused on execution rather than external expectations.
"Our main goal is to give full effort, be aggressive when we need to be aggressive, and relax and have fun," Hyland said.
As Fayetteville State pursues both team and individual championships Thursday in Salem, the Broncos remain focused on the culture that has carried them throughout the season.
"I told them they're my dream team," Hyland said. "I love them, and I appreciate the way they work hard every single day. I can't wait to see them cross the finish line with their best performances."
The 56th CIAA Cross Country Championship is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 22, at Green Hill Park in Salem, Virginia, with the Broncos seeking conference titles and valuable momentum as they continue their pursuit of NCAA Atlantic Regional and national championship success.
