FAIRMONT, W.Va.- The University of Charleston captured the 2026 MEC Men’s Cross Country Championship on Saturday at the Bethany College Soccer and Equestrian Complex in Bethany, West Virginia.

The Golden Eagles placed three runners in the top five and claimed the team title with 21 points. Freshman Mathew Meli led the Golden Eagles, capturing the individual title with a time of 24:21.2. Freshman Kelvin Kipchumba and senior Mohamed Ensaad followed in second and third place, respectively, with times of 24:52.1 and 25:06.9.

With his performance, Meli was named the 2026 MEC Men’s Cross Country Runner and Freshman of the Year. 

Fairmont State sophomore Donovan Tanouye placed fourth in 25:18.4, while Point Park senior Luke McKenna finished fifth in 25:19.8.

Point Park finished second in the team standings, led by McKenna in fifth place. The Pioneers also had Ari Snyder finish 11th, Chase Bowen 16th, Dan Reeve 19th and Alben Petschauer 20th

The top 10 finishers earned All-MEC First Team honors, while runners finishing 11th through 20th received Second Team recognition.

Charleston’s Nick Bias was named the MEC Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year. 

First Team All-MEC
Mathew Meli, Charleston
Kelvin Kipchumba, Charleston
Mohamed Ensaad, Charleston
Donovan Tanouye, Fairmont State
Luke McKenna, Point Park 
Patrick Reilly, Glenville State
Harry Witt, Charleston
Nathan Bonnet, Charleston
Skylar Hudnall, Charleston
Braden Ward, Concord 

Second Team All-MEC
Ari Snyder, Point Park
Andrew Bowen, Davis & Elkins
Noah Revels, Charleston
Kent Niland, West Virginia Wesleyan 
Brandon Canaday, Concord
Chase Bowen, Point Park 
Gavin McDonald, West Virginia Wesleyan
Dan Reeve, Davis & Elkins
Albin Petschauer, Point Park 
Elijah Bechdel, Point Park

Team Champion: University of Charleston
Runner of the Year: Mathew Meli, Charleston 
Freshman of the Year: Mathew Meli, Charleston 
Coach of the Year: Nick Bias, Charleston