Cross Country set to compete in the CUSA Championship on Saturday - Middle Tennessee State University Athletics

10/30/2026 4:15:00 PM | Men's Cross Country and Track & Field, Women's Cross Country and Track & Field, Track & Field/Cross Country

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee's cross country teams head to Huntsville, Ala., to compete in the Conference USA Championships on Oct. 31 at the John Hunt Cross Country Park. The women's 6K race is set to begin at 9 a.m. CT., followed by the men's 8K race at 10 a.m. CT.

Quick Notes:

The Blue Raiders have competed in four meets heading into the postseason, with both teams remaining in the top 10 of the USTFCCCA South Region rankings
In their final regular season meet, the Blue Raiders competed at the Crimson Classic in Tuscaloosa, Ala., where the men's team placed fourth with 151 points, while the women's team finished fifth with 164 points.
Freshman Edger Ngibe led the men's team with an eighth-place finish in 23:58.2. Solomon Sayo followed placing 12^th in 24:14.5, while Kelvin Tanui placed 35^th in 25:16.2
Ricky Kiptoo made his debut as a Blue Raider, placing 40^th in 25:26.8. Mackdonald Songok finished 79^th in 26:11.1, while Juan Lucas de la Fúente rounded out the men's lineup placing in 114^th with a time of 27:29.0
On the women's side, Elizabeth Mgoma also led the team with an eighth-place finish in 19:42.4. Odilia Jepchumba followed in 13^th place in 20:19.6, while Gladys Muriithi placed 23^rd in 20:46.3.
Eleanor Towe finished 64^th in 21:48.1, followed by Lauren Cole in 82^nd in 22:05.7. Vivana Salonia placed 36^th in 22:09.6 and Hailee Gorham finished 133^rd in 23:04.2
Magoma earned Conference USA Women's Athlete of the Week honors on Oct. 20 following her performance at the Crimson Classic. The recognition marked her first weekly award as a Blue Raider
The Blue Raiders wrap up the regular season with a total of 10 Conference USA weekly honors
The men's travel squad include Allan Kiplagat, Moses Lekokei, Ngibe, Sayo, Tanui, Songok, Kiptoo, Allen and Lucas de la Fúente. On the women's side, the travel squad includes Evalyne Wambui, Privillege Chikara, Jepchumba, Magoma, Salonia, Muriithi, Gorham, Cole and Towe.

Series History
At the 2025 Conference USA Championships, the men's team captured the team title with 37 points. Allan Kiplagat led the Blue Raiders, claiming the individual title for the second time in his career at Middle Tennessee. Kiplagat will look to defend his title on Saturday. On the women's side, the Blue Raiders finished sixth overall with 139 points.

Scouting the opponents

The Blue Raiders will face a competitive Conference USA field, including Liberty, Jacksonville State, New Mexico State, Missouri State and Kennesaw State.
Liberty enters as the defending women's team champion, while Middle Tennessee looks to defend its men's team title.
Several conference programs will be competing for both team titles, setting up a competitive championship meet.

Where To Watch
Women's Race
Men's Race

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