Salem, VA – Led by 2026 CIAA Women's Performer of the Year Faith Kiplimo, the Fayetteville State University women's cross country team claimed its ninth consecutive CIAA Women's Cross Country Championship title on Thursday, placing five runners in the top 11 and finishing with 25 points.

The Broncos dominated the championship field, finishing 27 points ahead of runner-up Winston-Salem State, which totaled 52 points.  Virginia Union placed third with 70 points.

Fayetteville State's championship performance showcased its depth and consistency, as all five scoring runners finished among the top 11 competitors. The Broncos posted a combined top-five time of 1:35:42 with an average time of 19:08. All six runners made the CIAA Women's Cross Country All-Conference Team.

Kiplimo, a sophomore nursing major from Eldoret, Kenya, successfully defended her individual conference crown by winning the 5K race in 18:10.1. The back-to-back CIAA Women's Performer of the Year paced the field from the opening kilometer and crossed the finish line nearly a minute ahead of the next finisher.

The Broncos placed four runners in the top six overall. Vivian Kiprono finished third in 19:01.8, while Videlma Jebet crossed fourth in 19:07.8. Faith Rotich secured sixth place with a time of 19:17.2, and Ashley Bell rounded out the scoring five in 11th place at 20:05.5.

Pelisha Kosgei provided valuable depth for Fayetteville State, finishing 13th overall in 20:19.9.

With the championship victory, Fayetteville State extended one of the most impressive dynasties in conference history, capturing its ninth consecutive CIAA Women's Cross Country Championship. The Broncos were led by 2026 CIAA Women's Performer of the Year Faith Kiplimo, while first-year head coach Frank Hyland was named 2026 CIAA Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year. In his debut season at the helm, Hyland continued the proud legacy of Fayetteville State athletics by guiding the Broncos to another conference championship and positioning the program for success on the regional stage.

2026 CIAA Women's Cross Country All-Conference Team

1. Faith Kiplimo, Fayetteville State
2. Ann Badawi, Winston-Salem State
3. Vivian Kiprono, Fayetteville State
4. Videlma Jebet, Fayetteville State
5. Natalie Young, Virginia Union
6. Faith Rotich, Fayetteville State
7. Rainn Sheppard, Winston-Salem State
8. Elicia Bryant, Winston-Salem State
9. Jael Pratt, Claflin
10. Ava Milner, Winston-Salem State
11. Ashley Bell, Fayetteville State
12. Kiera Coleman, Virginia State
13. Pelisha Kosgei, Fayetteville State
14. Toni Middlebrooks, Virginia Union
15. Genesis Lee, Bluefield State