Jan. 28, 2011
AUBURN - Redshirt freshman Stephen Saenz became the first member of the Auburn track and field team to automatically qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships, winning the shot put to highlight the opening day of competition at the JRF Combined Events Invitational hosted by Clemson Friday.
Auburn won five events during the opening day of competition, including three events in which Auburn took the top two spots.
"I was a little concerned coming in because we're a little behind with our training due to some bad weather, but we competed pretty well today," said head coach Ralph Spry. "I wasn't sure how sharp we would be with some of our technical stuff, but I'm pretty happy with how both sides lined up and competed. For just our second meet of the year we had some pretty solid marks."
Saenz won the shot put with a throw of 19.40 meters (63-7.75), surpassing the NCAA automatic qualifying mark of 19.30 meters. His throw ranks third in the NCAA this season and No. 2 in Auburn indoor history. His winning throw came on his fourth of six attempts and easily surpassed his best mark of 18.59 meters from the season opener.
Senior Eric Werskey was not far behind Saenz, finishing second with a mark of 19.09 meters (62-7.75), missing his indoor personal best by only three-and-a-half inches. Entering the weekend, only three throwers in the nation had surpassed 19 meters this season, and Auburn had two accomplish the feat Friday. In addition, freshman Marcus Popenfoose took fourth with a throw of 16.21 meters (53-2.25).
Auburn dominated both of the 60 meter races, taking the top four spots in the women's race and the first two places in the men's race. Senior Sheniqua Ferguson, in her first meet of the year, won the women's race with a time of 7.35 seconds. She was followed by senior Joanna Atkins (7.41), junior Nivea Smith (7.51) and freshman Alycia Prior (7.64).
On the men's side, sophomore Harry Adams won for the second meet in a row, clocking a time of 6.70 seconds which was just .03 seconds off his time from the season opener. Freshman Keenan Brock was second in 6.75 seconds, moving up to the sixth spot on Auburn's all-time indoor list.
Freshman DJ Smith won his second straight high jump competition, clearing 2.15 meters (7-0.5) on his first attempt, which ranks him seventh in school indoor history.
Junior Neil Danville won the men's 400 meters, posting a time of 50.43 seconds, while junior CeCe Williams was second in the women's 400 meters in 56.06 seconds.
Senior Stephanie Barnes placed fourth in the women's 800 meters in 2:19.31. In the women's triple jump, freshman Nicole Charley was fourth with a leap of 11.39 meters (37-4.5), one spot ahead of senior Erica Akins, who jumped 11.24 meters (36-10.5).
The second and final day of competition at the JRF Combined Events Invitational will take place Saturday. Running events include the 200 meters, mile, 3000 meters, 4x400-meter relay and distance medley relay. Field events include the women's pole vault and high jump and the men's and women's weight throw and long jump.