SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The Lenoir-Rhyne cross country teams opened the Bob Braman era at the Converse Kick-off on Friday, with the women's team taking third overall as a team.

Freshman Regly Jemutai opened up her collegiate career with a second place finish, coming through the 5K course in a time of 19:11.4. 

Joining Jumutai in the top-five was junior Maria Carmona, who took fourth with a time of 19:28.8. Senior Olivia Overholt was the Bears' third finisher across the line, taking 22nd in 20:47.7. Caitlyn Christie was 26th in 29:59.0 while Mathilde Etienne was Lenoir-Rhyne's fifth scorer, coming in 46th with a time of 22:01.5.

The Bears finished with exactly 100 points in the meet. North Greenville (50) and Carson-Newman (84) finished first and second respectively. This is Lenoir-Rhyne's highest team finish since they took third at the 2023 SAC Championships. 

On the men's side freshman Holden Hamlin showed why he was named a runner to watch in the SAC Preview. He led the Bears with a 28th place finish, running a time of 20:40.4 over the 6K course. Junior Kyle Erskine was 47th in 21:04.4 while Cristian Cabascango and Chase Bryant paced each other, finishing 58th and 59th with times of 21:27.4 and 21:29.2. Veteran Sam Sosebee was the final scorer for the Bears, crossing the line in 22:53.8. 

Lenoir-Rhyne finished ninth out of 15 teams with 258 points. UNC Pembroke (44) and Southern Wesleyan (87) topped the field. 

The Bears will be back in action next Friday when they travel to Charlotte, N.C. to take part in the Queen City Invite. The race will take place at McAlpine Creek Park. The women's 5K is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. with the men's 8k to follow at 6:45 p.m.