SALEM, VA – The Fayetteville State University men's cross country team successfully defended its conference crown on Thursday, capturing the 2026 CIAA Men's Cross Country Championship with a first-place score of 23 points.
The championship marks the Broncos' second consecutive CIAA title and continued the program's rise among the conference's elite. Fayetteville State placed five runners among the top seven finishers and finished nine points ahead of runner-up Virginia Union, which scored 32 points. Virginia State rounded out the top three with 99 points.
The Broncos delivered a dominant team performance, posting a top-five team time of 2:07:21 with an average time of 25:28.
Leading the way was
Franklin Kipchirchir, who captured the individual CIAA championship with a winning time of 23:59.6. The victory capped an outstanding season for Kipchirchir, who entered the championship as one of the top runners in both the CIAA and Atlantic Region.
Fayetteville State's depth proved to be the difference as four additional Broncos finished among the top seven competitors.
Brian Kiprop earned fourth place in 25:25.7, followed closely by
Dominic Malel in fifth at 25:35.4.
Rowny Kipchirchir placed sixth in 26:09.9, while
Ian Kiprono completed the Broncos' scoring five with a seventh-place finish in 26:11.0.
Additional contributors included Collin Serem, who finished 16th in 28:53.9, and
Ivan Taylor, who placed 36th in 31:01.4.
The championship effort was guided by first-year head coach
Frank Hyland, who was named the 2026 CIAA Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year. In his inaugural season leading the Broncos, Hyland directed Fayetteville State to a second consecutive conference championship while further strengthening the program's winning tradition.
With the victory, Fayetteville State secured back-to-back CIAA titles and demonstrated its dominance by claiming the individual champion and placing five runners in the top seven. The Broncos will now turn their attention to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Championship as they look to continue their postseason success.
2026 Men's Cross Country All-Conference Team
- Franklin Kipchirchir, Fayetteville State
- Abel Kipkemboi, Virginia Union
- Allan Kipkorir, Virginia Union
- Brian Kiprop, Fayetteville State
- Dominic Malel, Fayetteville State
- Rodger Korir, Virginia Union
- Rowny Kipchirchir, Fayetteville State
- Marcus Merritt II, Virginia Union
- Ian Kiprono, Fayetteville State
- Keon Koonce, Virginia Union
- Emmanuel Williams, Virginia State
- Eureka Washington, Claflin
- Brandon, Jeffers, Livingstone
- Collin Serem, Fayetteville State
- Nellie Ambriton, Bluefield State
