RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Union University women's cross-country team finished third at the CIAA Cross Country Championship, scoring 70 points behind a fifth-place individual finish from sophomore Natalie Young and a strong collective performance from the Panthers.

Young led Virginia Union with a personal-best time of 19:13.1 to finish fifth overall, pacing a Panthers lineup that placed six runners among the championship's top 24 finishers.

Senior Toni MiddleBrooks was VUU's second finisher, placing 14th with a time of 20:36.3. Sophomore Aksa Jepkogei followed in 16th place with a personal-best time of 20:47.3.

Junior Trinity Charles finished 17th in 21:07.8, immediately ahead of sophomore Gisele Abascal, who placed 18th in 21:11.0. The three consecutive finishes by Jepkogei, Charles, and Abascal helped Virginia Union maintain its position among the CIAA's top three teams.

Freshman Nijiah Sykes rounded out the Panthers' lineup with a personal-best time of 22:21.3 to finish 24th overall.

Virginia Union's third-place finish was highlighted by three personal-best performances and a tightly grouped scoring lineup that helped the Panthers secure another top-three finish at the conference championship.

"Our season didn't go exactly as planned, but I'm still incredibly proud of our team for staying together, pushing through adversity, and continuing to fight," said Virginia Union Head Cross Country Coach Franck Charles. "For the second straight year, our ladies finished in the Top 3 at the CIAA Cross Country Championship! That's something to be proud of, and it shows the hard work, dedication, and resilience of this team.

"Now, our ladies are wrapping up the cross-country season and turning their focus toward Indoor Track & Field. The journey continues, and we're just getting started! Congratulations, ladies! Keep believing, keep working, and keep making the Panthers proud!"

With the cross-country season complete, the Panthers will turn their attention to the upcoming indoor track and field season.