By Zack Ciboth, Sports Editor
The Conference Carolinas Championship will return home to Pembroke as the UNC Pembroke men’s cross country team compelled a championship victory in the 8K race Saturday morning at McAlpine Park. On the Women’s side they claimed the individual title when Moureen Kimaiyo crossed at 22:07.1 to place 1st in the race and lead the Braves to a second place finish in the women’s 6K race.
Jack Phieffer crossed to place second in the men’s race with a new PR time of 24:55.1, Norman Junker followed behind hime with a sixth place finish crossing at 25:27.1, Delsin Burkhart was the third brave to cross placing 13th at 25:49.7. Hunter Levy also set a personal best with a time of 25:49.9 to finish 14th. Rounding out the top finishers for the men’s side was Elisha Kipsang with a time of 26:16.4 to set a new PR with a 22nd place finish.
On the women’s side Jackline Kosgei followed behind Kimaiyo with a third place finish crossing at 22:29.6. Karen Piro placed 20th with a new PR time of 24:06.0, Malea Bennewitz cross at 24:07.1 set a new PR time as well and placed 21st. Michela Gritti rounded out the scoring with a 22nd with a time of 24:09.7.
The All tournament awards were also announced on Saturday with Phieffer and Junker being named All-Conference 1st team, Levy and Burkhart were named 2nd team. Kimayio and Kosgei placed 1st team all conference, Bennewitz and Piro finished 3rd team. The Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year and Runner of the Year were claimed by Kimayio as well.
UNCP will have a couple of weeks to prepare for the NCAA Southeast Regional race on November, 4th that will be held at the UNG Cross Country Course at the UNG Gainesville Campus in Oakwood, GA. The women’s team will compete in a 6K at 10 a.m and the men’s team will follow with a 10K race at 11:15 a.m.