Salem, VA -- The CIAA announced on Thursday that Abijah Jepkemboi (Kapsabet, Kenya, Our Lady of Victory Girls HS) is the 2023 Female Runner of the Year at the CIAA Cross Country Championships in Salem, Va.  The sophomore is the first Falcon to win this honor since 2019 when Barren Freeman earned this title for the mens program and the first female to garner this honor since Barbara Pierre in 2009.

Jepkemboi paced the Falcons to a 3rd place team finish in the championship race finishing 4th overall covering the 5k course in 19 minutes and 5 seconds.  A trio of Falcons came through in 14-16th place - Joyce Jepleting(20:34) Taymar Smith(20:53) and Ruth Jepkogei(20:55).  Jepleting and Smith earned All CIAA Honors for finishing in the top 15.  The other finishers for the Falcons included Christabelle Obi in 22:31 for 30th, Malaysia Johnson in 22:33 for 31st, Sheree Wright in 25:33 for 53rd place.  The Falcons put up 79 points just 3 behind Winston-Salem State with 76 points while Fayetteville State took the championship with 28 points behind a 1-2-3 finish.

On the mens side, Isaiah Chapman was the top finisher for the Falcons placing 18th in 29:27.  The balance of the Falcon men included Isaiah Rozien in 30:35 for 26th place, Sean Crumpler in 34:54 for 56th place, Kahneil Budham in 36:17 for 63rd place, Kahlil West in 36:31 for 66th place, and Sean Kalawan in 37:10 for 70th place.  The team tallied 229 points for a 9th place overall finish.  Fayetteville State swept the mens team title as well with 56 points.