After capturing last year’s CIAA championship over reigning title holder St. Augustine’s College, N.C. Central University’s men’s cross country team is working toward another trophy. The women’s team is on the same track, pushing for its first title in years.

Under the direction of Coach Mike Lawson, the Eagles are striving to push the team’s newcomers to excel. At the same time, the Eagles rely on returning runners such as Rashaad Lee for the men’s team and Aisha Brown and Yolonda Barber for the women’s team.

“We’re going in with a winning attitude,” said Lawson. “I’m looking for the men to get the title again this year. As for the women, being an up-and-coming team last year will take us all the way this year.”

Saturday, the Eagles defeated Shaw University during the annual NCCU Cross Country Invitational at Forest Hills Park

While trekking a 5-mile course, the men captured a one-point 27-28 victory over Shaw with the Eagles placing three runners in the top five.

Lee led NCCU with a time of 27:06, falling in second place behind Shaw’s Maurice Styles, Jr., who led all runners at 26:50. Alongside Lee were Robert Curington and Gerald Jones, coming in fourth and fifth, respectively.

The women’s team put in equally convincing work; the Lady Eagles placed five runners in the top seven after combating a 3.1-mile course over Shaw, 20-40.

Barber, reigning CIAA cross country champion, took second place at 22:04.73 after Shaw’s Lisa Stewart made a surprise burst from behind and clocked a winning time of 22:04.48.

Brown placed third while freshmen Rejon Littlepage, LaKisha Gantt, and Latanya Lesine took fifth through seventh place in the tournament.