West Virginia Claims Third Straight NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Title

Friday, November 13

Bethlehem, Pa.

11:00 a.m.

West Virginia University

NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional

November 13, 2026 03:44 PM | Cross Country

Final Results

By: Jaret Dyer

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 3 West Virginia University cross country team claimed its third consecutive NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional championship on Friday, Nov. 13, at the Goodman Campus Cross Country Course in Bethlehem, Pa.

The Mountaineers secured their sixth regional team title in program history with a program-record low 19 points, finishing 64 points ahead of runner-up Penn State, which totaled 83 points.

West Virginia took the team lead after the 1,000-meter mark, with four Mountaineers positioned in the top five. By the 3,000-meter mark, WVU had taken control of the top four positions and maintained those sports through the finish of the race.

Joy Naukot led West Virginia with a first place finish in 19:19.1, claiming her second consecutive individual championships. With the victory, WVU has now won five of the last six individual regional titles.

Mercy Kinyanjui followed in second place with a time of 19:20.7, while Sheila Chepkirui finished third in 19:22.8. Lexi Lamb placed fourth in 19:25.3 to complete the Mountaineers' sweep of the top four positions.

Emily Bryce rounded out WVU's five scoring runners with a ninth place finish in 19:52.4, while Anastasia Chepkorir placed 16^th in 20:09.5. Chiara Judis also competed for the Mountaineers, finishing 45^th in 20:57.2.

Naukot, Kinyanjui, Chepkirui, Lamb, Bryce and Chekorir each earned All Mid-Atlantic Region honors.

West Virginia will conclude its season at the NCAA Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Nov. 21, in Terre Haute, Ind.

WVU Individual Results

1^st – Joy Naukot – 19:19.1
2^nd – Mercy Kinyanjui – 19:20.7
3^rd – Sheila Chepkirui – 19:22.8
4^th – Lexi Lamb – 19:25.3
9^th – Emily Bryce – 19:52.4
16^th – Anastasia Chepkorir – 20:09.5
45^th – Chiara Judis – 20:57.2

For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUXCTF on X, Facebook and Instagram.