OXFORD, Ala. – Auburn senior Tommy McDonough won his first collegiate cross country race as the Tiger men claimed the top four individual spots to win the Foothills Invitational team title Friday at Choccolocco Park. It was the men's first team win since 2017 and the first men's individual winner since Redatu Semeon claimed the 2015 Foothills Invite.
McDonough, who crossed the 5k course in 15:17.17, was followed close behind by sophomore Ryan Kinnane (15:20.62), senior Jackson Thomas (15:25.11) and freshman Cooper Atkins (15:35.32). Auburn won the men's race with 20 points to outdistance second place Chattanooga with 49 points.
"A really solid overall team performance from the men's group finishing one through four," said first-year coach Aaron Kindt. "Tommy lead the way with an individual win. He's came in in great shape and has worked really hard. So far Tommy has been a great leader for this group. Ryan and Jackson ran exceptional races to get us off to a good start. Overall, I'm pleased with the men in this first outing. There's a lot of room for growth and a lot of things to be excited about heading into the year."
Underclassmen delivered for the men's side as Kinnane, Atkins, and sophomore Carson Bedics (15:59.73) all nabbed three of the five scoring positions for the Tigers. Freshman Benson Atkins ran a 16:37.84 in his collegiate debut, finishing 26th, while fellow newcomer Mark Foster finished 61st with a time of 17:32.77.
On the women's side, freshman Hallie Porterfield made her collegiate debut in style, as the Birmingham native ran a 14:32.00 4k to nab second place for the women.
Senior Louisa McPherson (14:48.15), freshman Hannah Thuss (14:56.95) and junior Sara Pacer (15:03.62) all collected points for Auburn as the trio finished seventh, eighth, and ninth, respectively.
"I'm really pleased with Hallie," Kindt said. "It was a really nice opener for her to finish second and very pleased with her performance. I saw some good things out of Hannah Thuss
another freshman and Louisa was very steady for us finishing second. We had some bright spots today but have work to do. I know they're ready to get back to work on Monday."
Finishing in 17th place was Tiger sophomore Samantha Rogers with a time of 15:35.34. Senior Lindsey Granier rounded out the women's group with a time of 16.39:99.
Auburn will return to action Friday, Sept. 17 as the Tigers compete in the FSU Cross Country Open in Tallahassee, Fla.
2021 Foothills Invitational
Choccolocco Park Sports Complex
Oxford, Ala.
Women's Results (4k)
2. Auburn, 43 pts
Auburn Individual Results
2. Hallie Porterfield, 14:32.00
7. Louisa McPherson, 14:48.15
8. Hannah Thuss, 14:56.95
9. Sara Pacer, 15:03.62
17. Samantha Rogers, 15:35.34
47. Lindsey Granier, 16:39.99
Men's Results (5k)
1. Auburn, 22 pts
Auburn Individual Results
1. Tommy McDonough, 15:17.17
2. Ryan Kinnane, 15:20.62
3. Jackson Thomas, 15:25.11
4. Cooper Atkins, 15:35.32
12. Carson Bedics, 15:59.73
25. Benson Atkins, 16:37.84
60. Mark Foster, 17:32.77