COLUMBIA, S.C. - Jackline Kosgei cruised to an individual title with a time of 21:42.4 in the 6K, while Jack Phieffer led the way on the men's side with a time of 25:35.3  in the 8K, as the UNC Pembroke cross country teams competed at the Akiah McMillian Invitational on Saturday. 
 
Kosgei's time in the 6K broke a nine-year-old school record, and help pace the women's team to its first team title since the Tom Scott Open on Oct. 30, 2020. Valary Samoei (22:30.9) and Kathryn Anderson (23:07.1) each logged top-10 finishes placing in third place and sixth place, respectively. Karen Piro crossed the finish line in 15^th place with a time of 24:19.7, while Julia Van Dine (24:35.5) rounded out the scoring for the Black & Gold finished in 19^th place. 
 
Chloe Phillips (27:07.4) registered a 49^th place finish, while Jaqueeta Moise made her collegiate debut finishing in 51^stplace with a time of 27:31.4. Jasmine Lorenzo finished the race in 56^th place with a time of 27:59.5.
 
On the men's side, Phieffer claimed runner up honors in the 8K and finished behind individual champion Donald Kibet of Benedict. Lucas Nervo covered the course in a time 26:03.3 for a 6^th place finish, while newcomer Elisha Kipsang placed 12^th with a mark of 26:35.9. Bryan Viera (14^th) finished just inside the top-15 with a time of 26:41.6, and Kevin Vazquez completed the scoring finishing in 29^th place. 
 
Gabe Blackwelder recorded a 48^th place finish covering the 8K course in a time of 29:54.9.
 
The Black & Gold will have a final tune up before the Conference Carolinas Championships on October 22^nd when they travel to Huntsville, Ala., for the UAH Invitational. The race is set to begin at 8:45 a.m. at the John Hunt Park.