AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) - Auburn's track and field team opened their indoor season at the Carolina Challenge on Saturday. The meet's success included a total of 21 personal and collegiate records, along with four event wins to set a school record.
Along with the team's accomplishments, 13 athletes competed in their Auburn debut.
"We had a lot of new faces. I like the way we lined up," head coach Ralph Spry said.
Of the standout performances, junior All-American Madi Malone beat her previous school record, broke the South Carolina Indoor facility record and set the highest score in the NCAA for the women's weight throw. Her score of 22.20m/72-10 on her sixth attempt won by almost 12 feet. Her other five attempts were all over 21.50m.
Fellow junior Presley Weems added the second women's win of the day to the Tigers' score. Her women's mile time of 4:45.97 set not only a personal best, but also set an Auburn record for the seventh fastest runner of the event in school history.
Two athletes earned their first collegiate victories in the meet: Dontavious Hill in the men's high jump and Kyle Brown in the men's weight throw toss. Hill's jump of 2.15m/7-0.5 is tied for fourth in the nation, despite being only a half-inch short of his indoor record. Brown's fifth heave of 20.23m/66-4.5 set a personal record, earning him the win.
Three more Tigers earned medals, adding to Auburn's record-setting season opener. Jack Rogers set a PR time in the men's 3000m with a time of 8:19.99. James Courson also set a personal record in the men's pole vault with a jump of 5.26m/17-3. On the women's side, Kamiya Dendy scored a mark of 1.71m/5-7.25 in the high jump.
"I think we're off to a good start, now we've got to keep things moving. Hopefully we'll get some good weather and continue to get good work in as we prepare for Clemson in two weeks," Spry said.
Auburn's next competition will be the Bob Pollock Meet in Clemson, S.C. on Jan. 29-30.
