March 31, 2012
AUSTIN - Just one day after setting a school record, the Auburn men's 4x100 meter relay team erased its day-old mark with a blistering time of 38.30 seconds to win the Texas Relays title and establish the fourth-fastest time in NCAA history.
"Winning at the Texas Relays is an accomplishment that I put right behind winning the national championship," Auburn head coach Ralph Spry said. "This is a special event, so for us to come out and dominate the way we did is really great. Not only did we get the horn trophy, we put on a really top-notch performance. 38.30 smashed the old Texas Relays record. For us to do this in the first race of the year and set one of the best times in NCAA history is really great."
The time is a new Texas Relays record and ranks second in SEC history. The mark stands behind only TCU in 1998 (38.04) and 1989 (38.23) as well as LSU in 1998 (38.24). Auburn's team of Marcus Rowland, Harry Adams, Michael DeHaven and Keenan Brock finished more than half a second ahead of second-place Texas A&M (38.84).
"I really wanted to come win two relays," Spry said. "I didn't have a backup after Jeremy Hardy cramped up yesterday and we had run so well on Friday that I wanted to give us a chance to win. So with that in mind, we pulled out of the 4x2. The weather was great and the guys were pumped up. We ran really fast in the morning on Friday, so I knew we would put one down once we got outside and it was hot. We knocked out some top teams today and really made a statement. Today's win is a big confidence booster so that we can attack the rest of outdoor. We are really excited."
Auburn's mark of 38.30 seconds is the fastest time in the world thus far in 2012 and the fastest mark in the NCAA since June 1998, a span of nearly 14 years.
The other competitors for the Tigers took the stage in the throwing events on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore Stephen Saenz stood in second place in the shot put until the final round of throws. He ultimately finished in fourth place with his throw of 63 feet, three inches (19.29m). Teammate Marcus Popenfoose recorded a long throw of 55 feet, nine inches in the shot put.
Auburn withdrew from action in Jacksonville at the UNF Invitational after torrential rain in the area forced delays into the late afternoon on Saturday. The event was officially canceled around 5 p.m. CT on Saturday.
"I wish the group in Florida would have been able to compete, but the weather just wouldn't cooperate," Spry said. "We are excited to get back to Auburn and compete at home next weekend."
Auburn's next action is on Friday at home when the Tigers host 2012 Tiger Track Classic at Hutsell-Rosen Track.