March 23, 2018
Tallahassee, Fla. - The Auburn track and field team opened the 2018 outdoor season with 10 medalists, including eight from field events at the Florida State Relays at Mike Long Track on the Florida State University campus Friday. Senior Jakalya Hand and Deja Hillman claimed gold and silver, respectively, in the women's triple jump to lead the Tigers' efforts.
Hand, coming off a 14th place finish in the triple jump at the NCAA Indoor Championships two weeks ago, won her second consecutive Florida State Relays title in the event with a leap of 12.90m/42-4. She won in 2017 with a personal-best mark of 12.92m. Hillman took silver after posting a best jump of 12.20m/40-0.5.
Auburn had a strong showing in the javelin throw on both the men's and women's side. Sophomore Kylee Carter notched the No. 2 all-time performance by an Auburn woman with a throw of 50.97m/167-2, just short of her own school record of 53.37m/175-1 set at the 2017 Florida State Relays. Teammate Peyton Montgomery recorded a personal-best 49.08m/161-0, the fourth-best performance ever at AU.
In the men's javelin, freshman Cade Antonucci, making his first appearance in an Auburn uniform, finished second with a throw of 66.65m/218-8. His throw was the No. 9 all-time performance in school history and made him the No. 4 performer in Auburn history. Teammate Justin Carter was third as the Auburn, Ala., native (65.04m/213-5).
Freshman high jumper Caroline Lawrence was second in the women's high jump, leaping 1.70m/5-7. A four-time Alabama High School state champion from Homewood, Lawrence equaled her 2018 indoor best set earlier this year.
Sophomore Chris Stone set a new personal best in the men's pole vault clearing 4.90m/16-0.75 to finish second in the event. Fellow sophomore Jaron Brooks claimed bronze with a PB of 2.12m/6-11.5 in the men's high jump.
On the track, the Tigers were led by seniors Wesley Curles on the men's side and Dominique Bullock on the women's side. Curles finished second in the men's 1500m with a time of 3:45.18, while Bullock posted an 11.76 in the 100m dash for second place.
Sophomore transfer Erin Perkins was third in the women's hammer throw. The transfer from Winona State posted a best throw of 58.09m/190-7.
Auburn will return to action March 28-31 at the Texas Relays in Austin, Texas.