HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Conference USA Cross Country Championships took place Saturday morning at the John Hunt Park cross country course in Huntsville, Alabama. Liberty was crowned the women’s team champion, while Middle Tennessee secured the championship title for the men.

For the second year in a row, Liberty’s women’s program won the championship with 40 points, leading the field by a margin of 64. The Flames were paced by champion Allie Zealand who crossed the finish line in 19:53.0. The rest of Liberty’s scorers were not far behind, all finishing within the top-21.  

Marie-Theres Gruber from Delaware was the women’s second place finisher. The Sophomore ran a time of 20:21.58.

New Mexico State finished runners-up, recording a score of 104. The Aggies were led by sophomore Nia Allison. Allison finished sixth overall with a time of 20:36.04.

CUSA’s individual women’s standouts include MTSU’s Faith Nyathi and Jacksonville State’s Viola Jepleting. Nyathi earned the title of Outstanding Senior, finishing third overall with a time of 20:25.37. As the first freshman across the finish line in 20:37.64, Jepleting was named women’s Freshman of the Meet.

For the men, Middle Tennessee took back their title with a stellar finish of 37 points. They held off last year’s champion, Liberty, who finished second with 55 points. Leading the Blue Raiders and defending his individual title was sophomore Allan Kiplagat. Kiplagat crossed the line in 23:34.82, followed by Kennesaw State's Collins Kipkemboi who crossed in 23:40.81 for second place. 

Also representing the Blue Raiders were Jacinto Gaspar and Solomon Sayo who were named the men’s Outstanding Senior and Freshman of the Meet, respectively. Gaspar finished fourth with a time of 23:54.24, and Sayo crossed the line with a time of 24:22.11 for 15th place.

Next up, teams will look ahead to regional championships. Regionals are scheduled to begin on Friday, Nov. 14.

WOMEN’S INDIVIDUAL HONORS
Individual Champions: Allie Zealand, Liberty
Outstanding Senior: Faith Nyathi, MTSU
Freshman of the Meet: Viola Jeptleting, Jax State
 
WOMEN’S ALL-CONFERENCE HONOREES
First Team
1. Allie Zealand, Liberty
2. Marie-Theres Gruber, Delaware
3. Faith Nyathi, MTSU
4. Jessica Palisca, Liberty
5. Katrina Schlenker, Liberty
6. Nia Allison, NM State
7. Kinley Kunkel, WKU
 
Second Team
8. Viola Jepleting, Jax State
9. Valerie Lastra, FIU
10. Privillege Chikara, MTSU
11. Amanda Radava, NM State
12. Madison Seiler, Kennesaw State
13. Tabitha Fox, Missouri State
14. Rachel Hill, Liberty
 
Third Team
15. Odilia Jepchumba, MTSU
16. Ryann Aycock, Liberty
17. Katie Sigerud, Liberty
18. Kate Loescher, Liberty
19. Valeria Macias Casas, NM State
20. Jepkirui Kurgoi, Jax State
21. Mackenzie Babcock, Liberty
 
MEN’S INDIVIDUAL HONORS
Individual Champion: Allan Kiplagat, MTSU
Outstanding Senior: Jacinto Gaspar, MTSU
Freshman of the Meet: Solomon Sayo, MTSU
 
MEN’S ALL-CONFERENCE HONOREES
First Team
1. Allan Kiplagat, MTSU
2. Collins Kipkemboi, Kennesaw State
3. Brian Limo, Kennesaw State
4. Jacinto Gaspar, MTSU
5. Edwin Kiprono, Kennesaw State
6. Andrew Schultz, Liberty
7. Nicholas Kiprotich, Liberty

Second Team
8. Brian Kiptoo, MTSU
9. Moses Lekokei, MTSU
10. Edwin Kiprop, Liberty
11. Ethan Pedersen, Liberty
12. Andres Gurrola, UTEP
13. Mario Ruiz, Sam Houston
14. Meshack Kosgei, Jax State
 
Third Team
15. Solomon Sayo, MTSU
16. Andrew Gibby, NM State
17. Nelbat Kirwa, Jax State
18. Evan Allen, Jax State
19. Mark Roper, Jax State
20. Mackdonald Songok, MTSU
21. Tristian Merchant, Liberty