OXFORD, Ala. -- Nicole Luther moved into the top three on the all-time 4k performance list, and the Auburn University at Montgomery women's cross country team placed sixth out of 27 teams to open the 2023 season at the 17th annual Foothills Invitational, hosted by Jacksonville State University. 

Luther posted the third-best 4k time in school history for the Warhawks, adding to already Top 10 marks in the 5k (eighth) and the 6k (seventh) in her AUM career.

Abagail Little, Adley Burkes, Mary Bradley Herbert, and Kenlie Nelson also all ran top 10 4k times in school history for the Warhawks.

THE WARMUP

Finish: 6th out of 27 teams
Event: Foothills Invitational, hosted by Jacksonville State Univ.
Location: Oxford, Ala. | Choccolocco Park
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SCORING FIVE

• Luther's time of 15:29.10 was good enough to finish 29th overall.
• Building on a strong freshman season, Abagail Little clocked a 15:34.30 as AUM's second finisher.
• Freshman Adley Burkes burst out of the gate to start the year with a time of 15:38.80 to finish third on the team and 35th overall.
• Mary Bradley Herbert ran a 15:48.60 as the fourth Warhawk to cross the line.
• Kenlie Nelson rounded out AUM's scoring bunch with a time of 16:06.70.

NOTABLES

• Luther marked her fourth time on a Top 10 list for the Warhawks. She also ran the seventh-best 4k in program history at last season's Foothills Invitational.
• Little now owns the fourth-fastest 4k of all time for AUM.
• Burkes (fifth), Herbert (sixth), and Nelson (ninth) also leaped into the Top 10 4k performances in school history.

WORDS FROM THE WARHAWKS

"We had a really great opener on both sides for our teams," said head coach Ryan Thompson. "Our women raced well, but I know we are still trying to figure some things out in terms of getting some pieces in place to strengthen our top five. Overall though, I was happy with the effort we showed in our debut race of the season."

UP NEXT

The Warhawks travel to John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Ala. on Friday, September 15 for the Southern Showcase, hosted by Jacksonville State University.
   
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