Virginia Union’s Abijah Jepkemboi turned in a commanding performance Friday to win the women’s race at the Blue Bear Cross Country Invitational hosted by Livingstone College.

Jepkemboi covered the 4.5-kilometer course in 17 minutes, 32.54 seconds, finishing 15 seconds ahead of the runner-up to capture the individual title. 

Her victory anchored a strong showing for the Lady Panthers, who finished second overall among six teams. Natalie Young took third in 17:54.76, while Toni Middlebrooks came in fifth in 19:05.98 to round out Virginia Union’s top finishers. 

“The women’s team finished second overall, led by Abijah Jepkemboi in first place, Natalie Young in third and Toni Middlebrooks in fifth,” head cross-country coach Franck Charles said. “They set a strong standard for our ladies. This meet was about building self-confidence and proving that even when the window may seem closed, with faith and a strong heart there’s always a positive outcome.” 

The Lady Panthers’ performance marked their best finish of the season and underscored the depth of their roster early in the fall schedule. 

Virginia Union will next compete Oct. 3 at 4:30 p.m. at the Ben Snelling Cancer Classic in Louisburg, N.C.