The Wildcats men and women’s cross country team kicked off the season Saturday at the Naimadu Classic in Abilene.

The Naimadu Classic consisted of the Alfred Rugema Men’s 8K followed by the Casi Florida Women’s 6K. ACU’s competition included Texas Tech, Angelo State, UT Permian Basin, and Ranger College.

Freshman runner Kevin Kipkosgei started the Wildcats season off strong with a time of 26:26.23 to win the men’s individual race.

Fellow freshman runner Levi Chambers finished not too far behind in eighth place. Overall, the men’s team ended up finishing third.

Senior Carnley Graham followed in Kipkosgei’s footsteps as she also ran her way to a first place finish in the women’s race with a time of 22:29.2

Her teammate, junior Hannah Marut, clocked a time of 24:11.2 good enough for fourth place. The women one upped the men overall with a second place finish.

Marut said she was happy with the team’s effort in the season opener.

“The team performed amazingly for the first meet. I felt like everyone put in their full potential and that getting second overall in the meet was pretty awesome,” Marut said. “I know our team can accomplish some great things this season and I’m so excited to see what is in store for all of us.”

The Wildcats won’t have another meet until Friday Sept. 14 when they head to Lubbock for the Texas Tech Open.