ELON – Redshirt junior Jack Phieffer led the way on the men's side with a mark of 19.17.8 in the 6K event, while junior Jackline Kosgei registered a 4K time of 14.51.4 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 Elon Shortcourse Open on Friday night.
 
Phieffer was 55^th among a majority NCAA Division I field of 146 runners to highlight action for the men, while redshirt senior Delsin Burkhart registered a time of 19:28 (64^th) to finish among the top half as well. Sophomore Norman Junker crossed in 66^th place with a mark of 19:31.6, redshirt senior Hunter Levy crossed in 70^th place with a time of 19:40.7, and newcomer Will Clancey rounded out the Braves top 5, finishing 76^th after covering the 6K course in 19:45.9.
 
Kosgei, the reigning Conference Carolinas Runner of the Year, finished in 37^th place to highlight the action for UNCP on the women's side, while sophomore Karen Piro (17:23) was 82^nd and senior Jazmine Lorenzo (18:40.9) finished 94^th. Freshman Mariah Spencer rounded out the scoring for the Braves and was 95^th with a time of 18:42.6.
 
UNCP will resume its race schedule on September 15 at the 11^th Annual UNG Invitational at the University of North Georgia Cross Country Course in Dahlonega, Georgia. The races are expected to get underway at 6:30 p.m.