UNCP Women Win Conference Carolinas Cross Country Title
The Braves' women's cross country team claimed its first conference championship since 1991 at the Conference Carolinas meet in Spartanburg.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Running
The UNCP women's cross country team won the Conference Carolinas championship with 33 points, while the men's team finished second with 59 points. Faith Jeptoo led the women's field with a 6K time of 21:53.0 at Milliken Research Park.
Why it matters
The title marks the Braves' first women's conference crown in more than three decades and sets up their next test at the NCAA Southeast Regional. The results also show depth, with four UNCP women finishing in the top 10.
Jeptoo's 21:53.0 6K was the eighth-fastest time in school history, and Kelvin Kibet finished sixth in the men's 8K in 25:23.4. Peter Ormsby earned his first women's Coach of the Year honor, and Jana Zett was named Freshman of the Year.
The players
Faith Jeptoo
Jeptoo is a UNCP distance runner who won the women's 6K at the Conference Carolinas championship.
Peter Ormsby
Ormsby is the UNCP women's cross country coach, earning his first women's Coach of the Year recognition after leading the team to the title.
The details
The championships were held at Milliken Research Park in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The women's team's victory was its first conference title since 1991, and the men's squad finished second behind Young Harris.
Timeline
Nov. 7, 2026: Conference Carolinas cross country championships held at Milliken Research Park
Saturday, Nov. 21: UNCP competes in the NCAA Southeast Regional races at Milliken Research Park
Season Trajectory
The women's title ends a 35-year drought dating to 1991 and gives the Braves momentum heading into the NCAA Southeast Regional. The men's second-place finish reinforces a program with multiple contenders in the Conference Carolinas.
The Braves' NCAA Southeast Regional entry on Nov. 21 determines which runners advance toward the national meet. Fans attending at Milliken Research Park can track individual splits as the regional field is set.
The takeaway
A conference title built on four top-10 finishes shows that depth, not just a single star runner, drives a team's success. Following team results across the season offers a clearer picture than any single race.
What happens next
The Braves will compete in the NCAA Southeast Regional races at Milliken Research Park on Saturday, Nov. 21.
Further reading
For more on distance racing, explore Running coverage across South Carolina.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Robesonian.
