Oct. 1, 2021 update -- We are thrilled that the Cedric Walker HBCU Challenge, the only XC meet exclusively for HBCU schools in the U.S., is back at WakeMed Soccer Park for 2021! The Challenge will take place Saturday, October 2, with the 8k race for men and the 5k for women, alongside the Great American XC Festival for high school athletes at WakeMed.
For LIVE RESULTS for the HBCU Challenge and GAXC Festival CLICK HERE!
The 2020 Challenge (and GAXC Festival) were cancelled for reasons related to COVID-19, including delays in the state of North Carolina’s reopening plan, as well as the fact that the MEAC, CIAA, SIAC and SWAC Conferences – home to more than 40 HBCUs and nearly every one of the team participants in previous Challenges – all cancelled or postponed their fall sports seasons. We're excited to be on target for our October 2 return!
The 5th edition of this event in 2013 was special as we honored Mr. Walker (mentioned above, who passed in March, 2013) for his years of service to the Challenge, the Foundation and to our sport in general.
The NSAF deeply appreciates those who were instrumental in getting this event started and have been vital in sustaining it since then:
The 5th edition of this event in 2013 was special as we honored Mr. Walker (mentioned above, who passed in March, 2013) for his years of service to the Challenge, the Foundation and to our sport in general.
HBCU team photos by Chris Coleman.
At left, the champion Fayetteville State U. women; at right, the victorious North Carolina A&T State men.
The Cedric Walker HBCU Challenge featured an intriguing mix of the “old” and the new. The “old” included North Carolina A&T State regaining the men’s team title they lost last year and the Aggies’ G’Jasmyne Butler (at right) winning her 2nd straight individual crown. On the other hand, new to the top of the podium was Fayetteville State U. in the women’s team race and Mathew Chesum (lower right) in the men’s individual battle.