April 26, 2012
PHILADELPHIA - Auburn opened the 2012 Penn Relays with a successful run in the women's 4x100 meter relay preliminary round on Thursday afternoon at Franklin Field.
The relay team consisting of Alycia Prior, Kai Selvon, V'alonee Robinson and Nivea Smith edged second-place Kentucky by more than half a second (45.10 to 45.86) in heat four. Auburn's time of 45.10 seconds is seventh-best.
UCF recorded the fastest prelim mark of 43.84. The College Women's 4x100m Championship of America is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. on Friday. Auburn last won the 4x100m relay at Penn in 1993.
Niklas Buhner finished 25th in the men's championship 5000 meters. The sophomore from Germany crossed the finish line in 14:38.71 - his second-fastest time of the season.
V'alonee Robinson placed 22nd in the women's championship long jump with her mark of 18-5.75 feet. Teammate Siobhan Ford-Holland recorded a mark of 17 feet.
Action continues for Auburn on Friday at 8 a.m. CT with the men's 400m hurdles and continues throughout the day. For the latest on Auburn track and field, follow @AUTrack on Twitter.