CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks women's cross country team opened the 2026 season with a seventh-place finish at the Queen City Invite on Friday evening, scoring 226 points in a competitive 26-team field featuring 222 athletes at McAlpine Creek Park.
AUM's seventh-place showing was highlighted by a strong front pack, with the Warhawks' five scoring runners separated by less than two minutes in the 5K. As a team, the Warhawks finished second out of all Division II teams in the field.
Chloe Helms paced the Warhawks in her debut for the program, finishing 26th overall with a time of 18:32.00, the second fastest 5K time in program history. Lena Parker followed in 54th (19:34.00), recording her first collegiate 5K.
Natalie Wiram continued AUM's scoring effort with a 60th-place finish in 19:48.50, also completing her first collegiate 5K. Freshman Laila Cooper crossed the finish line 77th (20:18.50) to mark her collegiate 5K debut.
Competing in her third season with the Warhawks, Emma McGee rounded out AUM's top five, placing 81st in 20:28.50. The Warhawks' scoring runners finished within 1:56.50 of one another, with all five crossing the finish line between 18:32.00 and 20:28.50.
Phenix City, Alabama, native Adley Burkes finished 89th overall in 20:33.40, while Railey Prins placed 100th in 20:55.00. Kadie Brooks followed in 102nd (20:58.30), with Ryan McGilvray finishing 104th (21:07.50).
Senior Kyndal Little rounded out the AUM lineup in 125th with a time of 21:47.00.
Elon claimed the team title with 24 points, while host Queens (N.C.) finished fifth overall.
2026 Queen City Invitational Results
Women's 5k
26. Chloe Helms 18:32.00
54. Lena Parker 19:34.00
60. Natalie Wiram 19:48.50
77. Laila Cooper 20:18.50
81. Emma McGee 20:28.50
89. Adley Burkes 20:33.40
100. Railey Prins 20:55.00
102. Kadie Brooks 20:58.30
104. Ryan McGilvray 21:07.50
125. Kyndal Little 21:47.00
Up Next
The Warhawks will return to action on Friday, Sept. 18, competing at the Falcon Classic in Montevallo, Alabama.
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