UVI Men’s Cross Country Team Place Ninth at HBCUAC Championship

Danville, Alabama, October 20, 2024 – The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men's cross-country team concluded the 2024 season with a ninth-place finish in the eight-kilometer race at the Historical Black College and University Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Cross Country Championships hosted by Decatur Morgan County Tourism in Danville, Alabama.

Freshman Mark Hayes-Ayala showcased his talent by delivering his best performance of the season when it mattered most for his team, finishing 22nd overall. Hayes-Ayala ran at a pace that saw him cross the five-kilometer checkpoint at the 21:44. The six-foot distance runner maintained his pace and crossed the finish line with a time of 34:17.0, improving his best time this season by two and a half minutes.

In only his second cross country race, sophomore Rayhan Sabur was the second Buccaneer to finish, clocking a time of 36:29.5, more than 45 seconds faster than his previous race.

Senior Nijai Nesbitt concluded his collegiate career by finishing 56th, while freshmen Gabriel Elcock and Donnel Dominique finished 53rd and 71st, respectively.

As a team, UVI received a score of 229, with a total running time of 3:29:35. The five-man team averaged a course time of 41:55 per runner.

The Bulldogs of Tougaloo College captured the conference title for the first time in the program's history.

At the conclusion of the meet, head coach Dale Joseph was elated as he spoke about his team. "The team exceeded my expectations. We only had one true cross-country runner, and we surrounded him with a team of sprinters who performed exceptionally well," said Joseph. "I believe this showcases the high-quality athletes that we have at the University of the Virgin Islands. Overall, this season was nothing short of amazing, and it has me looking optimistically towards next season."