EARLYSVILLE, Va. – Norfolk State men's cross country team newcomers Festus Bett and Ronald Korir led the way in the team's 2016 season opener on Thursday evening at the University of Virginia Duals 4,000-meter race at Panorama Farms.

Bett, a freshman, took first place in the event with a time of 12 minutes, 30 seconds. Korir, a junior transfer from Eastern Kentucky, crossed the line in fifth place with a time of 12:45.

The Spartans' other four runners all placed in the top 20. Sophomore VCU transfer Anteneh Girma was 15th in a time of 13:11, followed by sophomore Tomas Fantaye in 17th in a time of 13:25. Sophomore Joseph Wanene and redshirt senior Desmond Fogg tied for 19th with a time of 13:35 to round out the competitors for NSU.

NSU went 0-2 at the duals, with losses of 22-36 to Virginia and 25-35 to Liberty.

The Spartans will next compete at the William and Mary Invitational on Sep. 16 in Williamsburg, Va.

The Spartans’ will compete at William and Mary Invitational on Sep. 16 in Williamsburg, Va.