April 14, 2018
AUBURN, Ala - The Auburn sprinters and field competitors excelled on the second day of the Tiger Track Classic as the Tigers captured eight event wins. On the weekend, Auburn collected 10 total wins and compiled over 20 collegiate and personal bests.
Auburn started off the day on the track with a dominant performance in both the men's and women's 4x100m relay. The team of Jenae Ambrose, Dominique Bullock, Jonielle Smith and Natalliah Whyte ran a 43.65 to take home gold in the women's 4x100m while the team of Raheem Chambers, Xavier Coakley, Mark Rubalcaba and Chiason Tenkiang won the men's 4x100 with a time of 40.14.
Auburn sprinters were locked in throughout the day. Sophomore Natalliah Whyte turned in a strong performance in the 100m in a time of 11.25, good enough for a second place finish. On the men's side of the 100m, sophomore standout Raheem Chambers finished third in a time of 10.26. In the 200m, Jonielle Smith took home first with a mark of 23.37. Auburn registered another 200m win after sophomore Nathon Allen won the men's event with a time of 20.39 and a new PR. Allen's time is the fourth ranked time nationally this year and makes him the sixth ranked 200m performer in Auburn history.
In the men's 1500m, senior Coleman Churitch ran a 4:00.41 to set a new PR and take third overall in the event. Sophomore Brenda Kigen and Freshman Joyce Kimeli went first and second in the women's 3000m. Kigen ran a 9:52.03 and Kimeli was right behind with a 9:52.93. In the men's 3000m, Jay Spieler took home gold with a time of 8:44.02.
Junior Xavier Coakley set a new PR in the 110m Hurdles with a time of 13.83, good enough for a second place finish. His time also makes him the 16th ranked performer this season for the 110m Hurdles.
It was the rookies who led the way for Auburn in the field. Freshman Tori McKinley continued her stellar season with a win in the shot tut after she threw for a mark of 15.73m/51-07.25. Freshman Evan Blaire won the men's discus throw after a PR mark of 50.83m/166-09.
In the women's triple jump, Jakayla Hand placed second after throwing a mark of 12.90m/42-04.00 while Deja Hillman was not far behind with a third place finish and a new PR after a mark of 12.46m/40-10.50. Junior Skyler Daniel tied her PR in the women's high jump after a mark of 1.75m/5-08.75 and a second place finish. In the women's discus throw, Ivana Muzaric placed second with a mark of 51.60m/169-03.
The Tigers will be back in action next Friday and Saturday when they host the War Eagle Invitational at Hutsell-Rosen Track.