MILLEDGEVILLE, GA – The Francis Marion University men’s and women’s cross country teams opened their 2008 seasons by placing fifth and 10th respectively at the Georgia College Pre-Conference Meet hosted by Georgia College & State University.

Patriot newcomer Hillary Kiprop led the FMU men as he finished second individually with a career-best time of 26:08 for the 8,000-meter race. He finished one second behind the winner, Fidelis Mutiso of Clayton State University. Kiprop transferred to Francis Marion from New York Institute of Technology.

FMU sophomore Ben Miller finished 23rd in 28:40, while senior Steven Holmes was 36th (29:41), senior Dan Brann was 40th (30:38), sophomore Jerry Roth was 46th (31:28), senior TJ Simmons was 57th (38:52), and sophomore Bryson Robinson was 58th (40:44).

Senior Kelly May paced the Patriot Women with a 19th-place finish as she toured the 5,000-meter course in 20:45. Other FMU finishers were junior Amanda Doyle in 36th position (21:51), freshman Samantha Smith in 46th (22:32), and junior Holly Todd in 74th (28:00).

Both Francis Marion squads will run in N.C. State’s Wolfpack Invitational on Friday at 4:30 p.m. in Cary, N.C.