SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Newcomer Ryan Jimenez led the way on the men's side with a mark of 26:02.04 in the 8K event, while reigning Conference Carolinas Runner of the Year, Moureen Kimaiyo, turned in a time of 18:52.62 to pace the Braves in the 5K race, as the UNC Pembroke cross country teams turned in impressive season-opening performances Friday night at the USC Upstate Eye Opener.

Jimenez finished 20th overall in a 162-runner mixed field of Division I, Division II, Division III, and NJCAA teams, and was 3rd amongst all D2 runners. Fellow freshmen, Antony Kigen and Kelvin Kibet, finished 26th (26:11.30) and 33rd (26:30.96), respectively. Conrad Robertson took 45th with a time of 27:13.22, with Lucas Nervo finished 48th at 27:17.43. Tom Hutton placed 49th (27:20.12), while Norman Junker took 54th (27:23.37), with Charlie Schihl taking 77th (28:21.03) to make it eight Braves in the top half of finishers. Will Clancey took 91st at 29:00.10 and JP Marquez finished 93rd with a time of 29:06.11 to round out the men's side.
 
Kimayio finished 24th overall and paced all Division II runners, while Jackline Kosgei took 39th with a time of 19:18.38. Newcomer Sofia Skidmore finished 43rd in her collegiate debut with a time of 19:29.88, with Michela Gritti placing 59th with a time of 20:11.58, and Malea Bennewitz taking 61st at 20:15.45. Leticia Pena finished 104th with a time of 22:13.15 to close out the women's side.

As a team, the men's and women's squads each turned in higher finishes than three Division I opponents, and were both the top Division II finishing team at the event.
 
UNCP will resume its race schedule on Friday, September 13 at the Coastal Carolina-hosted Chanticleer Challenge at Hackler Golf Course in Conway, S.C. The women are set to begin to at 5 p.m., with the men's race scheduled to follow at 5:45.