CARLISLE, Pa. – Penn State Harrisburg's men's cross country team opened the 2022 campaign at Dickinson's Light Up the Night event at Dickinson Park in Carlisle, Pa. on Thursday evening, Sept. 1. 

Mohammed Sakayl was the squad's top finisher, coming home 33rd out of 56 runners. Teammate Samuel Bishop finished right behind him, while Jonathan Carnesi (36th) rounded out the team's top three runners. The team's top two finishers bested the previous 5K program record of 18:02.9, originally set in 2018, in their first outing of the season. 

Sakayl finished the 5K in 17:45.0, Bishop crossed the line in 17:58.8, and Carnesi posted a time of 18:13.1. Kaiden Braught (18:43.3) earned a 41st-place finish and Luke Culver's 18:58.0 was good enough for 43rd overall. Nic Spohn, Mikhail Sanu, Dillan Oshell, and Nathaniel Francis completed the Penn State Harrisburg contingency. 

Dickinson took home the team trophy, while CCBC Essex's Kevin Baranoski won the individual title with a time of 15:15.1. 

The Lions return to action at Lebanon Valley's annual Dutchmen Invitational at Union Canal Tunnel Park in Lebanon, Pa. on Saturday morning, Sept. 10. The men's race is scheduled for 11 a.m.

Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.