Philander Smith's Collins repeats as HBCUAC Women's Runner of the Week

NEW ORLEANS - September 16, 2024 - After setting a meet record, Philander Smith University's Ja'Niesha Collins repeats as the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week for September 9-15, the conference announced on Monday.

Collins, the 2024 Preseason HBCUAC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Year, ran 20:59.2 at the Lane Dragons Cross Country Invitational five-kilometer race. She finished over three minutes ahead of the runner-up, averaging a 6:45 mile pace. Collins was nine seconds from her personal best that she set last season. The Lady Panthers will compete at the West Florida Argonaut on Friday.

2024 HBCUAC Women's Cross Country Runners of the Week

-HBCUAC -

About 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), Oakwood University (AL), 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). GCAC sponsors championships in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball, 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.