Bowie State University’s men’s and women’s cross-country teams will compete Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Lincoln (PA) University Challenge in Lincoln, Pa., as both squads prepare for the 2026 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Cross Country Championships.
Both Bowie State teams finished third at the HBCU Cross Country Challenge in Petersburg, Va. The Lincoln meet will give the Bulldogs another opportunity to compete before the CIAA championships, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 22, at Green Hill Park in Salem, Va.
Bowie State Men’s Cross-Country Team Finishes Third
The Bowie State men’s cross-country team scored 61 points and recorded a combined team time of 3:04:06 at the HBCU Cross Country Challenge. Sean Trader led the Bulldogs with a second-place finish in the men’s 8K in 30:37.2, while averaging 6:09.5 per mile.
Chase Garcia finished sixth overall in 32:05.4, followed by Tyler Bowling in 15th place at 35:58.4. Michael Price placed 18th in 36:18.2, and Bernard Johnson finished 27th in 49:07.7 to round out Bowie State’s scoring five.
Virginia State and Lincoln (PA) finished ahead of Bowie State in the men’s competition. The Lincoln (PA) University Challenge will give the Bulldogs another opportunity to compete against several teams they will encounter during the CIAA championship season.
Bowie State Women’s Cross-Country Team Also Places Third
The Bowie State women’s cross-country team scored 67 points and recorded a combined team time of 2:22:36 at the HBCU Cross Country Challenge. Leilani Gibson paced the Bulldogs with a sixth-place finish in the women’s 5K in 23:45.0, while averaging 7:38.6 per mile.
Emetem Bezezuh finished seventh in 24:06.2, and Destinie Mayo placed ninth overall in 25:54.9. Skye Sargent-Thomas finished 28th in 33:54.1, while London Simons placed 29th in 34:56.6 to complete Bowie State’s scoring five.
Winston-Salem State and Lincoln (PA) finished ahead of Bowie State in the women’s competition. Virginia State and Shaw also completed the field.
2026 CIAA Cross Country Championships Ahead
The Lincoln (PA) University Challenge is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15, in Lincoln, Pa. The meet will serve as another preparation opportunity for both Bowie State squads ahead of the conference championship.
Both teams will then compete in the 2026 CIAA Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 22, at Green Hill Park in Salem, Va. The 56th CIAA Cross Country Championship will include men’s and women’s team and individual titles.
MSB Analysis
Bowie State’s men’s and women’s cross-country teams enter the Lincoln (PA) University Challenge after placing third at the HBCU Cross Country Challenge. Sean Trader led the men’s team with a second-place individual finish, while Leilani Gibson, Emetem Bezezuh and Destinie Mayo each placed among the top nine in the women’s competition.
The meet gives both Bulldogs squads another competition date before the CIAA championships in Salem. Bowie State will use the event as another opportunity to compete against a competitive field before the conference championship.
Source: Original report
