SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Redshirt junior Delsin Burkhart led the way on the men's side with a mark of 27:19.5 in the 8K event, while sophomore Jackline Kosgei registered a 5K time of 19:36.7 to pace the Black & Gold on the women's side, as the UNC Pembroke cross country teams turned in impressive performances at the season-opening USC Upstate Eye Opener on Friday evening.
 
Burkart was 24^th among a majority NCAA Division I field of 119 runners to highlight action for the men, while German newcomer Norman Junker registered a time of 27:28.7 (28^th) to finish among the top 30 as well. Redshirt junior Hunter Levy crossed in 34^th place with a mark of 28:06.8, newcomer Bryan Viera crossed in 37^th place with a time of 28:14.8 and fellow redshirt sophomore Jack Phieffer was 48^th after covering the 8K course in 28:43.6.
 
Kenyan newcomer Elisha Kipsang finished 54^th after posting a time of 29:02.2, while redshirt sophomore Gabe Blackwelder rounded out the action for the Braves in the No. 70 position with a time of 30:18.2.
 
Kosgei, the reigning Conference Carolinas individual champion, finished in 13^th place to highlight the action for UNCP on the women's side, while redshirt junior Valary Samoei (19:50.9) was 18^th and senior Kathryn Anderson (20:30.1) posted a 23^rd-place tally. Freshman Julia Van Dine was 46^th with a time of 21:49.5, and redshirt junior Chloe Phillips rounded out the scoring for the Braves in 69^th place with a mark of 24:18.3.
 
UNCP will get a 3-week hiatus from competition before resuming its 2022 schedule on September 23 at the Queen City Invite at Charlotte's McAlpine Street Park. The women's race is expected to get underway at 4:15 p.m.