AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn Tigers cross country team opens the 2026 season at the Foothills Invitational, on Friday, Sept. 4, at the Choccolocco Park Sports Complex in Oxford, Ala. The women will run the 5K at 8:30 a.m. CT followed by the men’s 5K at 9 a.m.
First year associate head cross country coach Kara Foster came to Auburn in July after previously leading the Penn State women’s cross country team to three consecutive NCAA Championship appearances and will utilize her experience to build the Tigers’ program.
“I think it'll be a good racing experience for the people who haven't done it in a while,” Foster said. “I'm excited to get there and see how this team responds to a racing environment, because we've only had practice so far.”
The meet will feature 24 teams, including in-state schools Alabama State, Faulkner, Samford and Troy.
The Auburn women have seven returners out of their 14 roster spots, including senior Cady McPhail, who led the Tigers to victory in the Foothills Invite last year. Foster hopes this experienced group will be quick to rally their new teammates.
“I think people are growing into those leadership roles. There'll be a lot of different women stepping up,” Foster said. “What has been special is that because we don't have one standout leader, they are helping each other and looking after each other. The older runners are taking on those leadership roles to really help and bring newcomers and younger people along.”
On the men’s side, the Tigers return junior Nickson Chebii who was the SEC runner up last year and qualified for the NCAA Championships. The Tigers also return seniors Max Hardin and Evan Hill.
“I'm excited. It's a race,” Foster said. “It’s about the competition. It's about racing people next to you and fighting for those spots and accessing that competitor.”
Live results for the Foothills Invitational can be found at https://live.xpresstiming.com.
Up Next
Auburn cross country will compete at the Southern Showcase on September 18 in Huntsville at the John Hunt Cross Country Running Park.