Wiley's Bennett Jr. claims Week 3 HBCUAC Men's Cross Country Awards

Dwight Bennett Jr. ran a personal best at the University of Louisiana-Monroe Invitational.

September 16, 2025

NEW ORLEANS - September 16, 2025 - Wiley University men's cross country athlete Dwight Bennett Jr. wins Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Runner and Freshman of the Week. He was recognized for his performance between September 8-14, the conference announced on Tuesday.

Bennett ran a personal best 30:16 in the eight-kilometer course at the University of Louisiana-Monroe Invitational Friday at the Sterlington Sports Complex. He finished 14th out of 46 athletes, which were mostly from NCAA Division I institutions. His performance helped the Wildcats finish third out of six schools, topping Grambling State University.

The Wildcats don't compete this week and will race on September 26 at The Hill Cross Country Classic.

Additional men's cross country weekly nominees: Kameron Brister (Tougaloo), Skyaqui Howard (Wilberforce), Nevon Taylor (Tougaloo), Maurice Rue Whitfield (Philander Smith)

2025 HBCUAC Men's Cross Country Runners of the Week

Date	Runner	Freshman	Newcomer
Aug. 25-31	Skyaqui Howard, Wilberforce	Skyaqui Howard, Wilberforce	John Russell Jr., Wiley
Sept. 1-7	Maurice Rue-Whitfield, Philander Smith	Earl Hurd Jr., Wiley	N/A
Sept. 8-14	Dwight Bennett Jr., Wiley	Dwight Bennett Jr., Wiley	N/A

About the HBCU Athletic Conference
The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is the only HBCU conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The HBCUAC membership includes Dillard University (LA), Fisk University (TN), Huston-Tillotson University (TX), Oakwood University (AL), Paul Quinn College (TX), Philander Smith University (AR), Rust College (MS), Southern University at New Orleans (LA), Stillman College (AL), Talladega College (AL), Tougaloo College (MS), University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Voorhees University (SC), Wilberforce University (OH), and Wiley University (TX). HBCUAC sponsors championships in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball, softball, and baseball. In 2022, the HBCUAC secured the largest media rights deal in conference and NAIA history, signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Urban Edge Network. On July 1, 2024, the conference rebranded from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) to the HBCU Athletic Conference, marking a new era for the conference that embodies the makeup of its membership. For more information, visit hbcuac.org.