Fairburn, Georgia, October 10, 2025
News Summary
Huntsville High School senior Charles Pearson set a new personal best at the Alexander/Asics Invitational, marking the fastest time in Alabama this season. Pearson finished 32nd in the boys’ championship division with a time of 15:27.12. Auburn’s Sarah Tole also impressed by clocking 17:48.39, placing ninth in the girls’ championship division. The Auburn cross country team is set to compete at the Southern Showcase, where both teams will face strong competition from SEC rivals.
Fairburn, Georgia – Huntsville High School senior Charles Pearson achieved a personal-record time of 15:27.12 at the Alexander/Asics Invitational, placing him 32nd in the boys’ championship division and marking the fastest time recorded in Alabama for the season. This accomplishment is the second new personal record for Pearson this year. Notably, Shawn Stephenson from Northridge High School followed closely with a time of 15:27.28 at the Jesse Owens Classic.
Auburn High School’s Sarah Tole, a three-time defending Class 7A individual champion, made waves by clocking a time of 17:48.39 at the Alexander/Asics Invitational. Tole’s performance secured her the ninth position in the girls’ championship division while also achieving the fastest time of the season by an Alabama female competitor. This was her first time breaking the 18-minute mark this season, although it was still 11 seconds short of her personal record of 17:37.19, set at the 2023 Jesse Owens Invitational.
Additional noteworthy performances included Rose Betts from Brewer, who won the Lake Guntersville Invitational with a time of 18:00.29, and Emelia White from Mountain Brook, who finished as the runner-up at the Jesse Owens Classic with a time of 18:05.83. Additionally, Kyndal Hughes from Fort Payne secured second place at the Lake Guntersville Invitational with a time of 18:54.44.
The Auburn cross country team is gearing up for the upcoming Southern Showcase on September 12 at the John Hunt Cross Country Park in Huntsville, Alabama. The men’s 8k race is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. CT, followed by the women’s 5k at 8:30 a.m. CT. Coach Aaron Kindt expressed enthusiasm about starting the regular season, indicating that the meet will feature their top 10 runners.
The men’s team faces strong competition from SEC rivals such as Alabama and Kentucky, alongside other formidable programs including South Alabama, Georgia Tech, and Florida State. The women’s team will also be competing against major programs, including Alabama, Kentucky, Miami, and Mississippi State. In their previous outing, the Auburn women’s team won the JSU Foothills Invitational, while the men’s team secured a second-place finish.
Key Performances Overview
| Runner | School | Event | Time | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Pearson | Huntsville High School | Alexander/Asics Invitational | 15:27.12 | 32nd |
| Shawn Stephenson | Northridge High School | Jesse Owens Classic | 15:27.28 | – |
| Sarah Tole | Auburn High School | Alexander/Asics Invitational | 17:48.39 | 9th |
| Rose Betts | Brewer | Lake Guntersville Invitational | 18:00.29 | 1st |
| Emelia White | Mountain Brook | Jesse Owens Classic | 18:05.83 | 2nd |
| Kyndal Hughes | Fort Payne | Lake Guntersville Invitational | 18:54.44 | 2nd |
FAQ
What was Charles Pearson’s personal record time at the Alexander/Asics Invitational?
Charles Pearson clocked a personal-record time of 15:27.12 at the Alexander/Asics Invitational in Fairburn, Georgia.
How did Sarah Tole perform at the Alexander/Asics Invitational?
Sarah Tole recorded a time of 17:48.39 at the Alexander/Asics Invitational, finishing ninth in the girls’ championship division and achieving the fastest time of the season by an Alabama female competitor.
What upcoming event is the Auburn cross country team preparing for?
The Auburn cross country team is preparing to compete at the Southern Showcase on September 12 at the John Hunt Cross Country Park in Huntsville, Alabama.
What were the outcomes for Auburn’s teams in their last outing?
In their last outing, the Auburn women’s team won the JSU Foothills Invitational while the men’s team finished second.
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Additional Resources
- Auburn Tigers: Auburn Cross Country Gears Up for Southern Showcase
- Wikipedia: Cross Country Running
- Auburn Pub: High School Sports
- Google Search: Auburn High School Cross Country
- The Plainsman: Auburn Cross Country Opens Season
- Google Scholar: Cross Country Running
- Gold Country Media: Auburn Cross Country Roundup
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cross Country Running
- AHSAA: Auburn Runner Chases Rare Company
- Google News: Auburn Cross Country
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTSVILLE WRITER
The HUNTSVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHuntsville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntsville, Madison County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Panoply Arts Festival, Rocket City Brewfest, and Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, plus leading businesses in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Boeing, SAIC, and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBirmingham.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
