MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Auburn University at Montgomery head cross country coach Ryan Thompson has announced the 2022 competition schedule for the women's cross country team.

"The women's team took a major step last year in progressing towards where we know we should be competing," said Thompson. "With only 2 seniors and a very promising incoming class, the expectation will be for them to take a major leap forward at the conference championships in November."

The Warhawks open the 2022 slate in Oxford, Ala. at the Foothills Invitational, hosted by NCAA Division I Jacksonville State University, on Friday, Sept. 2. 

The University of North Alabama Invitational follows the next weekend on Saturday, Sept. 10 in Florence, Ala. at McFarland Park. The Warhawks then travel to Pensacola, Fla. on Friday, Sept. 23 for the University of West Florida Argonaut Invitational to close out the month of September. 

"There is really no one in particular that will be looked upon to lead the squad because it's going to take a total team effort with help from the new freshman," Thompson remarked. 

AUM races twice in the month of October, with the first coming in Charlotte, N.C. at the Royals Challenge, hosted by Queens University of Charlotte, on Oct. 7. The race will be run at McAlpine Creek Park. On Oct. 14, the team heads to Montevallo, Ala. for the Blazer Classic, hosted by the University of Alabama in Birmingham.

"We are going to change the dynamics of their season up a bit and race them a little more than usual," Thompson said. "We will look to the Royals Challenge and UAB as two key races to see where we are headed into the championship season."

As the calendar turns to November, the Warhawks finish the season with postseason action. The Gulf South Conference Championships will run in Montevallo, Ala. on Saturday, Nov. 5, while the NCAA Division II Regional comes up on Saturday, Nov. 19 in Lakeland, Fla. at Holloway Park.