FLORENCE, AL - Led by a pair of standout performances from junior Chloe Helms and freshman Lena Parker, the Auburn University at Montgomery women's cross country team earned a third-place finish at the Kennemer Classic on Friday morning. Hosted by the University of North Alabama at McFarland Park, the Warhawks scored 97 points to finish third in a 12-team field featuring 106 individual runners.
The Warhawks finished as the top non-Division I team in the field, trailing Jacksonville State and West Florida while finishing ahead of Division I programs Austin Peay and host North Alabama.
Junior Chloe Helms led the Warhawks with a seventh-place finish in the women's 5K, crossing the line in a personal-best 18:08.00. Helms was the first Division II runner to finish, with only competitors from team champion Jacksonville State ahead of her. Her performance improved upon her previous second-fastest time in program history, and she now owns four of the five fastest 5K times in AUM history.
Freshman Lena Parker followed in 17th place with a personal-best time of 18:52.80, improving by more than 15 seconds on her previous best of 19:08.40 at the Montevallo Falcon Classic. Parker also lowered her own AUM freshman 5K record, further establishing herself in the program's record books. She was the third freshman to finish the race and the second Warhawk across the line for the third time this season.
Emma McGee placed 24th in 19:22.10, finishing among AUM's top three runners for the second time this season. The junior continued to provide experience near the front of the lineup in her third season with the Warhawks.
Freshman Natalie Wiram finished 32nd in 19:41.00 as AUM's fourth scorer, crossing as the second freshman on the Warhawks' team. Senior Adley Burkes rounded out the scoring five in 36th place at 19:53.10, recording her second-fastest time of the season in her fourth year with the program.
Freshman Laila Cooper, a native of Robertsdale, Alabama, placed 38th (19:55.80). Railey Prins followed in 54th (20:55.30), while Kadie Brooks finished 61st in 21:05.50. Ryan McGilvray placed 70th in 21:36.90, with Kyndal Little close behind in 72nd at 21:42.60.
Jacksonville State claimed the team title with 15 points, followed by West Florida in second with 81 points, while host North Alabama finished fifth with 109 points.
Up Next
The Warhawks will join the men's team in Huntsville, Alabama, on Saturday, Oct. 24, for the UAH DII Showcase. The meet will mark AUM's final competition of the regular season before postseason action.
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2026 Kennemer Classic
McFarland Park
Women's 5k
3. Auburn University at Montgomery (97 Points)
Individual Results
7. Chloe Helms 18:08.00
17. Lena Parker 18:52.80
24. Emma McGee 19:22.10
32. Natalie Wiram 19:41.00
36. Adley Burkes 19:53.10
38. Laila Cooper 19:55.80
54. Railey Prins 20:55.30
61. Kadie Brooks 21:05.50
70. Ryan McGilvray 21:36.90
72. Kyndal Little 21:42.60
