GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The North Dakota State men's cross country team cruised to an easy victory at the UND Ron Pynn Classic on Friday afternoon, dominating the season-opening meet at Ray Richards Golf Course.
 
NDSU sophomore Symon Keiser captured the first collegiate cross country title of his career, winning in a time of 17:56.4 for the six-kilometer course. The Bison men had eight of the top nine finishers in the race to claim the team crown by a large margin over UND, 17-46.
 
NDSU's Zach Johnson took runner-up honors in 17:58.6, and junior Jake Arason was third in 17:59.1. Junior transfer Hunter Klimek (18:10.8) finished fifth in his Bison debut, and Payton Smith placed sixth in 18:13.7 to round out NDSU's team scoring.
 
Freshman Hunter McHenry (7th), sophomore Mason Kindel (8th), and sophomore Tyson Mahar (9th) all placed in the top 10 for NDSU.
 
Keiser trimmed 1 minute, 33 seconds off his time from the same meet one year ago.
 
The Bison will race next at the MSU Moorhead Twilight on Friday, Sept. 9.