March 7, 2018
By Hays Kassen, Auburn Athletics
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" Five Auburn athletes received All-SEC honors the Southeastern Conference announced, Wednesday. One athlete was named to the All-SEC first team as three others were named to the second team. Auburn also had two freshman receive SEC All-Freshman team honors.
Senior Jonielle Smith gained second team All-SEC honors for her efforts in the women's 60m sprint. She ran a time of 7.18 at SEC indoors, good enough to earn her a third place finish and the third fastest time in the country this year. Freshman Natalliah Whyte was recognized for her performance in the 60m by receiving All-Freshman team honors. Whyte was fourth at SEC Indoors with a time of 7.19, making her the fastest freshman in the country and fifth fastest overall. Both will compete in the 60m at the upcoming NCAA Indoor Championship.
On the men's side, sophomore Akeem Bloomfield secured first team All-SEC honors after his SEC championship winning performance in the 400m. Bloomfield took home the victory with a time of 45.22. The Kingston, Jamaica, native set the school record earlier in the year at the Tiger Paw Invite with a time of 45.02, which is the second fastest time in the country.
Sophomore Raheem Chambers and freshman Nathon Allen brought home second team all-conference honors. Chambers was honored for his third-place performance at SEC Indoors with a time of 6.63 in the 60m. Chambers currently holds the sixth fastest time in the country with a 6.60, a mark he set earlier in the year at the Tyson Invitational. Allen earned second-team honors after he ran a 46.07 at SEC Indoors, good enough for a third place finish in the 400m. Allen was also recognized with All-Freshman team honors.
SEC honorees are named after the SEC Indoor Championships. First team award winners come from the event winner in each event, while the second team is comprised of second and third place finishers from each event. The SEC All-Freshman team is made up of the top freshman finisher in each event.
The Tigers will have six individuals and one relay team competing in the 2018 NCAA Indoor Championships this weekend, March 9th-10th in College Station, Texas.