The Medgar Evers College men's and women's cross country teams made their mark at the 2026 CUNYAC Cross Country Championship this past Sunday at Van Cortlandt Park, highlighted by historic individual accomplishments, All-Star honors, and multiple personal records.
With the championship marking the final CUNYAC Cross Country Championships, the Cougars delivered performances that reflected their perseverance and growth throughout a demanding season. Head Coach Hugh Reid praised his student-athletes for their commitment to one another and the program, emphasizing the significance of their accomplishments on such a historic occasion.
Leading the way for the women's team was Brianna Lindo, who secured a hard-earned fifth-place finish in the 6K race with a time of 28:27.8 to earn her second CUNYAC All-Star honor. Her performance highlighted a strong championship showing and added another milestone to her collegiate running career.
On the men's side, Brandon Walker made history by becoming the first male runner in Medgar Evers College history to earn CUNYAC Cross Country All-Star recognition. Walker further cemented his place in the program's record books by breaking his own school record, finishing the 8K race in 31:53.5 to place 14th overall.
The men's team finished fifth overall with 137 points. Walker led the way, while David Chisolm placed 24th in 34:39.7. Michael Adonor followed in 36:48.7, Al Rifat crossed in 37:53.7, and Marquise Thomas rounded out the Cougars' scoring five with a time of 39:33.1.
Brooklyn College captured the men's team title with 29 points, followed by Baruch College (51), Hunter College (70), and the City College of New York (99). Medgar Evers finished in fifth place, five points ahead of Lehman College's 142 points.
In the women's competition, Medgar Evers placed sixth overall with 128 points. Following Lindo's fifth-place finish, Aaliyah Lyons finished 36th in 39:02.8, followed by Thenica Thompson in 38th (39:17.9), Yulisa Niola in 43rd (39:58.0), and Jada Lambert in 44th (41:31.4).
In the women's race, Hunter College continued its dominance by capturing its 12th consecutive CUNYAC championship with 19 points. John Jay College finished second with 78 points, followed by CCNY (89), Baruch (94), and Brooklyn (103), ahead of Medgar Evers in sixth.
Beyond the team standings and individual finishes, the championship provided an opportunity to celebrate the continued development of the Cougars' program. Seven student-athletes recorded personal records: Lyons, Adonor, Rifat, Kenrick Fuller, David Awaye, Thomas, and Niola. Their achievements underscored the progress made through a season that challenged the team in numerous ways, mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Reflecting on the season and the significance of the championship, Reid expressed his pride in the team's perseverance and collective commitment.
"As challenging as this season has been, our student-athletes never stopped believing in the work or in each other. Their hard work and consistent trust in this program made history at the last CUNYAC Cross Country Championships. I'm proud of every one of them and grateful for what they've given to this team."
With the final CUNYAC Cross Country Championships now complete, the Medgar Evers women's cross country team has officially concluded its 2026 season. The men's team, meanwhile, could have one more opportunity to compete, as the Cougars are potentially scheduled to participate in this Saturday's ECAC Championship Meet at the Hudson Valley Sports Dome in Milton, N.Y. The meet's start time is to be announced.
