CHARLOTTE – Freshman Norman Junker cruised to a top-10 finish with a time of 25:25 in the 8K race, while sophomore Jackline Kosgei led the way on the women's side with a time of 18:21 in the 5K, as the UNC Pembroke cross country teams competed at the Queen City Invite on Friday evening.
 
Junker, who placed 8^th in the meet, logged a personal-best time, while redshirt junior Delsin Burkhart covered the course in a time of 25:38 (14^th) for a top-20 finish. All-American Joshua Chepkesir crossed the finish line in 25:58 for 22^nd place, Jack Phieffer placed 27^th with a time of 26:13 and Hunter Levy (35^th) completed the race in 26:26.
 
Bryan Viera posted a time of 26:59 to place 47^th, while sophomore Lucas Nervo (74^th) covered the course in 27:50.
 
A native of Eldoret, Kenya, Kosgei recorded her second top-15 finish of the season with a 13^th place finish to highlight action on the women's side, while senior Kathryn Anderson covered the 5K course in 19:32 for a 43^rdplace finish. Redshirt junior Valary Samoei (66^th) crossed the finish line in 20:07, and newcomer Julia Van Dine placed 71^st with a time of 20:12. Freshman Karen Piro rounded out the scoring, placing 97^th with a time of 21:20.
 
Chloe Phillips completed the race in 23:11 for a 123^rd place finish, and Jazmine Lorenzo placed 126^th in a time of 23:55. 
 
The Braves will take a short break before returning to action on October 8 for the Akiah McMillian Invite. The race will be held at the Par Tee Golf Center in Columbia, S.C.