DURHAM, NC – North Carolina A&T senior women's cross country runner Fajr Kelly and sophomore teammate Ryan Prioleau helped the Aggies start the season off with an exclamation point in a dual meet against the Duke Blue Devils at Sally Meyerhoff Fitness Loop. The men's cross country team also opened their season Friday morning with a dual meet against the Blue Devils, with senior Kylan Willis finishing second in the 4.7K event in 14:43.4.  

Kelly emerged victorious, putting together an outstanding performance in the women's 3.5K race. Kelly finished in first place by crossing the finish line in 12:39.6. Not far behind Kelly, Prioleau also exhibited remarkable skill, claiming second place in the women's 3.5K with a time of 12:50.4. Despite the Aggies claiming the top two spots on Friday, the Blue Devil women still won the dual 30-25.

Duke took third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh to overcome the outstanding finishes from Kelly and Prioleau. Abigail Paczewski led the Blue Devils with a third-place finish after running a 12:55.4. Sophomore Nina Story (14:17.2), graduate Jayla Jones (14:18.3), senior Ania Campbell (14:36.9), and sophomore Jessica Daniel (16:03.3) also competed for the Aggies on Friday.

Duke defeated A&T 38-21 on the men's side despite Willis's season-opening efforts. Matthew Farrell won the dual meet over Willis by finishing in 14:32.0. Farrell's teammates, Beck Wittstadt (14:48.3) and Sean Morrello (15:07.6), finished third and fourth, respectively.

Willis was complemented by senior Jalen Chin, who claimed top-5 placement by finishing fifth with a time of 15:12.0. Junior Abdiselam Green (15:12.9), freshman Abishek Pradhan (16:11.5), sophomore Kaleb Conway (16:46.3), freshman Glenn Stile (16:59.7), and sophomore Eddie Hall (17:53.5) also competed for the Aggies on Friday.

A&T returns to action on Saturday, September 6 at 8:15 p.m. when the men and women compete in the Elon Opener at the Elon Cross Country Course.