Philander Smith’s Ja'Neisha Collins Repeats as HBCUAC Women's Runner of the Week

Ja'Neisha Collins of Philander Smith University has once again claimed the title of HBCUAC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week in back-to-back weeks, following a record-setting performance at the Lane Dragons Cross Country Invitational.

Collins, who was named the 2024 Preseason HBCUAC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Year, continued her impressive season with a standout performance in the five-kilometer race. She completed the course with a time of 20:59.2, setting a new meet record and finishing over three minutes ahead of the second-place runner. Her average mile pace of 6:45 demonstrated both her speed and endurance, placing her just nine seconds shy of her personal best from last season.

This repeat accolade underscores Collins' dominance in the HBCUAC and her continued excellence on the cross-country circuit. The Lady Panthers are gearing up for their next challenge as they head to the West Florida Argonaut meet this Friday, where Collins will look to build on her remarkable season and lead her team to further success.

With her stellar performances and unwavering determination, Collins remains a key athlete to watch as the season progresses.