MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The AUM men's cross country team participated in the Falcon Classic on Friday evening, coming away with a first-place team finish. The University of Montevallo hosted the 8K event, and the field included 13 schools and just north of 100 student-athletes.
 
Three AUM runners finished in the top nine, helping the Warhawks finish with a team total of 55 to hold off runner-up West Alabama (58 points). Auburn Montgomery has now turned in consecutive top-two finishes to start the year after being picked fifth in the Gulf South Conference poll earlier this month.
 
"What a night," exclaimed Head Coach Ryan Thompson. "Men were not full strength tonight, with a few guys held out and to get the win shows the depth we are developing."

Junior Dalton Benefield (25:29.3) led the pack with a fourth-place individual finish for AUM, turning in a new-season best along the way. Teammate Michael Banks (25:50.1) snagged fifth place, with fellow sophomore Brexton Hathaway (25:57.2) producing a new career-best to come in ninth.

"Brexton Hathaway was big for us tonight and so proud of his race," added Thompson. "That was a big PR for him."
 
Senior Sam Leslie (26:52.4) and freshman Liam Zadoorian (26:54.6) finished within two seconds one another, collecting 18th and 19th place respectively. JT Mathison rounded out the scoring for AUM, coming in 29th behind a time of 27:15.7.
 
The Warhawks are back in action on Friday, September 26, when they head to Tallahassee to take part in the Seminole Invite hosted by Florida State.

Complete race results here: https://live.xpresstiming.com/meets/56308