Blue Raiders Set to Host Conference USA Cross Country Championships in Huntsville

Saturday, November 1

Huntsville, Ala.

Middle Tennessee

Conference USA Championship

10/31/2025 5:58:00 PM | Men's Cross Country and Track & Field, Women's Cross Country and Track & Field, Track & Field/Cross Country

By: Jayce Standridge, MTSU Athletic Communications

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Middle Tennessee cross country is set to host the Conference USA Championships at John Hunt Cross Country Park in Huntsville, Alabama, on Saturday, Nov. 1.

The Blue Raider men enter the postseason as the CUSA preseason favorites and have lived up to that billing throughout the fall. They're coming off a first-place finish at the Louisville Classic and a runner-up showing at the Arturo Barrios Invitational in College Station two weeks ago.

Reigning CUSA individual champion Allan Kiplagat looks to defend his title in his sophomore season after finishing third in Texas with a sub-23-minute 8k. Moses Lekokei has proven to be a strong addition to the roster with a top-10 finish in Louisville and 13th place at Arturo Barrios.

Freshman Solomon Sayo has also impressed, making a strong case for CUSA Freshman of the Year with back-to-back top-20 finishes to close the regular season. Jacinto Gaspar has shown major improvement in his second year, placing 16th in Louisville and just outside the top 20 in College Station.

The Blue Raiders' fifth scoring spot will be up for grabs between Brian Kiptoo, Macdonald Songok, Gabe Allen, Juan Lucas, Vincent Yegon and Kelvin Tanui.

On the women's side, Faith Nyathi continues to build on a standout senior season despite sustaining an injury in Texas two weeks ago. She owns two individual victories this fall — in Louisville and Memphis. Privilege Chikara has also been a steady force, finishing second in Louisville and setting a personal best in Texas with a 20:49.8 in the 6k.

Reigning women's CUSA champion Odilia Jepchumba looks to finish her sophomore season strong, while Eleanor Towe, Hailee Gorham, Lauren Cole, Lily Storey, Agnes Chepkurui, Nancy Maiyo and Emma Thomas will all look to contribute toward the team score.

Middle Tennessee is familiar with the course after racing at John Hunt Cross Country Park earlier this season at the Southern Showcase on Sept. 12, where Kiplagat clocked the fifth-fastest 8k time in course history at 23:22.7. The men's team finished sixth out of 48 programs from across the southeast.

Conditions are expected to be ideal for racing, with temperatures forecasted between the high 40s and mid-50s. The women's 6k will start at 9 a.m., followed by the men's 8k at 10 a.m.
The meet will be streamed live on ESPN+, and live results will be available HERE.

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