HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Behind another school record from freshman Basil Koech, the Auburn University at Montgomery men's cross country team raced to 13th place at the 2023 Southern Showcase in Huntsville, Ala., hosted by Jacksonville State University.
Koech bested Micah Britton's previous school-best 8K time of 24:52.50, which was run at the 2020 Gulf South Conference cross country championships. The Kericho, Kenya native posted a 24:49.00 and finished 45th overall among a competition field of 303 runners.
THE WARMUP
Finish: 13th out of 32 teams
Event: Southern Showcase Invitational, hosted by Jacksonville State Univ.
Location: Huntsville, Ala. | John Hunt Park
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SCORING FIVE
- Koech placed 45th overall with his school record 24:49.00.
- Mark Foster was the second Warhawk across the line, as he raced to a 25:25.00 to finish 82nd overall.
- Dalton Benefield finished 93rd with a time of 25:40.00.
- Connor Stoot's 25:45.00 was good for fourth on the squad and 97th overall.
- Hayes Colvin raced an 8K time of 26:20.70 to round out AUM's scoring lineup.
NOTABLES
- Koech was the seventh freshman across the line in the field of 303 runners. He was the first Division II freshman to finish behind six Division I runners and one freshman NAIA finisher.
- The Warhawks also turned in the fastest 8K average in school history.
- Foster posted the program's sixth-fastest 8K time, while Benefield closed the ninth-fastest 8K time in school history.
WORDS FROM THE WARHAWKS
"We had a great day on the men's side," said head coach Ryan Thompson. "Basil raced to a school record 8K and we had the fastest 8K average we've had for the guys. The team got out well and established their presence early on in the race."
UP NEXT
The Warhawks return to the course on Friday, September 29th as they travel to Tallahassee, Fla. to race in the Florida State Invitational. The race will be held at Apalachee Regional Park.
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