GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The North Dakota cross country teams opened the season on Friday with the Ron Pynn Classic at the Ray Richards Golf Course and finished as the runner-up in both races. In the 5K race, the UND women took second with 42 points, while the Fighting Hawk men finished second in the 6K race with 46.

Jadyn Keeler was the top runner for NoDak in the 5K, placing fourth in a time of 17:48.9. Conny Wohlfahrt crossed the finish line next and was fifth in 17:59.0. McKenzie Burian finished just outside the top-10 and was 12th in a time of 19:17.7. Eliana Malnourie and Anna Bernhardt rounded out the top five finishers for UND and were 13th (19:18.1) and 14th (19:53.71), respectively.

In the men's race, Patrick Kipkemboi was the top Hawk, placing fourth with a time of 18:03.5. Luke Labatte was 10th (18:43.4) and Justin Jelaca took 12th (18:50.0). Alec Nelson was the fourth UND runner to cross the finish line and finished 14th in a time of 19:25.2. Zach Long finished just outside the top-15 and was 16th with a time of 19:38.6.

POSTGAME NOTES
- North Dakota finished second in both races of the 20th annual Ron Pynn Classic.
- It was the first meet for UND of the season, and the Ray Richards Golf Course will also serve as the host of the 2022 Summit League Cross Country Championships on Oct. 29.
- The point scorers for the UND women were: Jadyn Keeler (fourth, 17:48.9), Conny Wohlfahrt (fifth, 17:59.0), McKenzie Burian (12th, 19:17.7), Eliana Malnourie (13th, 19:18.1), Anna Bernhardt (14th, 19:53.71), Mikayla Weiss (15th, 19:53.9) and Greta McLagan (16th, 19:58.8).
- The scorers for the Fighting Hawk men were: Patrick Kipkemboi (18:03.5, fourth), Luke Labatte (10th, 18:43.4), Justin Jelaca (12th, 18:50.0), Alec Nelson (14th, 19:25.2), Zach Long (16th, 19:38.6), Eric Weiss (18th, 19:57.1) and Alan Ash (19th, 20:00.8).

UP NEXT
North Dakota will visit Moorhead, Minn., for the Dragon Twilight on Friday, Sept. 9.