Fayetteville State Sends 3 Runners to NCAA DII Cross Country Championships

Fayetteville State University punched tickets for three runners to the 2025 NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championships. The trio earned their spots at the NCAA Atlantic Region Championships on Saturday in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. Franklin Kipchirchir, Brian Kiprop, and Faith Kiplimo grabbed individual spots at the national meet scheduled for Nov. 22.

Brian Kiprop won the men's 10K race. His time: 30:19.4. Franklin Kipchirchir crossed the line second in 30:20.8, trailing by just over one second. Faith Kiplimo took third in the women's 6K race with a time of 21:24.2.

The three qualifiers represent the most from any school in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association this season, a breakthrough for the Broncos program that has been building momentum under Head Coach Inez Turner's guidance. The men's team came in fourth, missing automatic team qualification by one point. The women's squad finished sixth out of 23 teams.

"This is a proud moment for our program and for the CIAA," said Head Coach Inez Turner, according to the FSU Broncos. "Franklin, Brian, and Faith have worked tirelessly all season, and their performances at regionals were a testament to their discipline, heart, and belief in the process."

Turner was inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame this year. She added that having three Broncos qualify for nationals speaks to where the program is headed.

The championships will take place at the Wayne E. Dannehl National Cross Country Course, hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. The women's 6K race starts at 11:00 a.m. Eastern. The men's 10K race follows at 12:15 p.m. Eastern.