OXFORD, Ala. - The Auburn cross country teams opened the 2023 season in strong fashion as the men and women won the swept the team races at the Foothills Invitational. Freshman Mary Mac Collins and junior Cooper Atkins led the Tigers in each of their respective races, as both finished first overall.
On the women's side, the Tiger's took the top five spots behind Collin's winning efforts as she crossed the 4k race in 14:10.10. Coming in second with a time of 14:10.60 was freshman Audrey Dunn, and fellow freshman Ava McIntosh who crossed in 14:12.60.
"I'm very pleased with the effort from both teams today," Auburn cross country coach Aaron Kindt said. "From the start of camp, it's been clear that both teams did a great job preparing this summer and we got to see a little bit of what that looked like today."
Senior Hannah Tarwater was fourth and finishing out the top five was junior Hannah Thuss. In her debut at Auburn, newcomer Cady McPhail finished in the top ten with a seventh-place showing in 14:34.10.
"I thought the three freshmen, Mary Mac, Ava, and Audrey, all were terrific," Kindt said. "Each ran with a lot of poise and tenacity. Hannah Tarwater and Hannah Thuss also ran controlled, smart efforts to round out that top five."
The top three finishers for the men came from Auburn, led by Atkins' 5k time of 15:06.80. He was soon followed by freshman Max Hardin and junior Dustyn Lewis. Joseph Perry, Ethan Snyder and Hayden Judge finished sixth, seventh and ninth respectfully.
"On the men's side Cooper, Max, and Dustyn were sharp and were in control from the start," Kindt said. "It was great to see the strides Cooper and Dustyn have taken to prepare for this fall and I'm very pleased with Max Hardin's debut. An exciting opener for the freshman who we think he can add a spark to our lineup this fall."
Auburn will be back in action Friday, September 15 as the Tigers head to Huntsville, Alabama to compete in the North Alabama Southern Showcase at John Hunt Cross Country Course.
2023 Foothills Invitational
Choccolocco Park Sports Complex
Oxford, Ala.
Women's Results (4k)
1. Auburn, 15 pts
Auburn Individual Results
1. Mary Mac Collins, 14:10.10
2. Audrey Dunn, 14:10.60
3. Ava McIntosh, 14:12.60
4. Hannah Tarwater, 14:14.70
5. Hannah Thuss, 14:21.60
7. Cady McPhail, 14:34.10
19. Hailey Marston, 15:03.10
Men's Result's (5k)
1. Auburn, 19 pts
Auburn Individual Results
1. Cooper Atkins, 15:06.80
2. Max Hardin, 15:10.50
3. Dustyn Lewis, 15:12.90
6. Joseph Perry, 15:27.70
7. Ethan Snyder, 15:30.40
9. Hayden Judge, 15:41.60
13. Benson Atkins, 15:55.90
Auburn cross country men and women win Foothills Invitational
