OXFORD, Ala. - Juniors Cady McPhail and Mary Mac Collins led the Auburn women’s cross country team to a first-place finish at the JSU Foothill Invitational in Oxford, Alabama, Friday. Opening the 2025 season, McPhail finished third (17:35.16) and Collins took fourth (17:41.36) at Choccolocco Park in the 5k race.
"Encouraging start to the season for both teams,” Auburn cross country coach Aaron Kindt said. “I really liked the fight and competitive focus that I saw from both squads. I really enjoyed what I saw out there today.”
The women finished first in the team standings with 35 points, while the men took second, finishing with 56 points.
McPhail and Collins went third and fourth in the women’s 5k, with the former crossing in 17:35.16 and the latter in 17:41.36.
"Cady McPhail and Mary Mac Collins, some of our leadership, were really composed and showed that they also put in a good amount of work this summer,” Kindt said. “I’m excited to see Cady looking relaxed and controlled in a cross country race. To see her lead us in cross country and run that well was exciting.”
South Lake, Texas native, Alexandra Walsh claimed seventh overall with a time of 17:55.17.
In her first appearance for Auburn, sophomore Addison Boyer also delivered a top 10 finish for the distance women. She placed tenth (18:09.58). Senior Shelby Balding finished right behind Boyer in 11th (18:13.46) and freshman Kennedy Hamilton took 12th (18:16.80).
Sophomore Mary Katherin Malone ran the best 5k of her collegiate career, finishing 21st overall (18:43.93).
“Addison in the beginning gave us a spark as a team, and Alexandra really stabilized the rest of our path,” Kindt said. “We were able to pull out a victory with our group that was coming in with a little less experience, and I was really pleased with how the women’s group ran and competed today.”
On the men’s side, the squad outpaced 18 other teams, behind sophomore Nickson Chebii’s first-place finish. Chebii crossed the line in 14:44.11, finishing ahead of 174 competitors.
“He (Nickson) was never really pushed, but very relaxed,” Kindt said. “He’s clearly had a great summer. We’re really looking forward to seeing him open up later this fall and as we head into the track season as well. I’m really excited about where we’re starting with him this year.”
He was closely followed by junior Max Hardin, who earned second place with a career-best 5k time of 14:48.72.
“Max Hardin had a strong performance today,” Kindt said. “Evan Hill and Bryce McCleary were also very steady for us. It was a strong opener for the young freshman, Bryce.”
Making his debut for the orange and blue, freshman Bryce McCleary earned a fifth-place finish. McCleary clocked 14:59.31 to finish as the top freshman in the field.
In his third cross country season with the Tigers, junior Evan Hill finished ninth in 15:08.72. Senior Rex Green made his cross country debut, running 16:26.68 for 42nd overall, while fellow senior Jospeh Perry crossed in 17:09.86.
Auburn cross country will be back in action Friday, Sept. 12, for the Southern Showcase at the John Hunt Cross Country Running Park in Huntsville, Alabama.
2025 JSU Foothill Invitational
Choccolocco Park Sports Complex
Oxford, Alabama
Men’s Results (5k)
- Auburn, 56 points
Individual Results
- Nickson Chebii, 14:44.11
2. Max Hardin, 14:48.72
5. Bryce McCleary, 14:59.31
9. Evan Hill, 15:08.72
42. Rex Green, 16:26.68
72. Josephy Perry, 17:09.86
Women’s Results (5k)
Individual Results
3. Cady McPhail, 17:35.16
4. Mary Mac Collins, 17:41.36
7. Alexandra Walsh, 17:55.17
10. Addison Boyer, 18:09.58
11. Shelby Balding, 18:13.46
12. Kennedy Hamilton, 18:16.80
21. Mary Malone, 18:43.93
DNF. Hailey Howard