SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The UNC Pembroke men's cross country team put three runners inside the top seven to take first, while Malea Bennewitz turned in a personal best and brought home a ninth-place finish in the women's race to help lead the Braves to a seventh-place finish Friday evening at the Converse Kickoff at Milliken Research Park.

In the 6K men's race, Ryan Ibarra crossed in fourth place with a time of 19:33.2, with Ed Carney in sixth at 19:41.5, and Antony Kigen behind him in seventh with a time of 19:43.8. Kelvin Kibet (20:00.7) took 13th, Conrad Robertson (20:00.9) was 14th, with Payden Lewis (21:09.8) placing 51st. JP Marquez finished 53rd with a time of 21:11.4, Daniel Mejias took 57th at 21:25.6, while Will Clancey was 69th at 21:53.8, and Alex Butler finishing 100th with a time of 23:00.1 to round out the Braves finishers.

On the women's side, Bennewitz took ninth with a time of 19:37.0, with Sophia Olszak in 16th at 20:24.5, and Michela Gritti crossing in 34th with a time of 21:25.6. Jana Termos took 59th at 22:23.9, LaNiya Harris was 119th with a time of 30:04.4, with Lizzy Laurine in 121st at 30:10.6 to round out the women's finishers. 

The men's squad tallied 44 points to take first, while the women finished with 202 team points to take seventh.
 
UNCP will resume its race schedule on Saturday, September 20 at the Wingate-hosted Bulldog Stampede. Races are set to begin at 8 a.m. at the Wingate XC Facility.