Solid outing for Tigers in 2019 indoor opener

Birmingham, Ala.—Auburn had a solid showing with several collegiate bests including an event win by junior Presley Weems in the women's 1000m at the UAB Blazer Invite at the Birmingham CrossPlex Friday. The meet was the Tigers' 2019 indoor opener and saw a dozen athletes competing for the first time in an Auburn uniform.
 
Weems captured the 1000m in a time of 2:52.14 giving the Hoover, Ala., native her first indoor win of her Auburn career and second overall. As a freshman at Samford in 2017, she won gold at 800m at the Southern Conference Indoor Championships.
 
Junior Erin Perkins crushed her previous collegiate best in the weight throw by five and a half feet. Perkins career-best toss of 18.98m/62-3.25 was good for fifth in the event.
 
Transfer Natosha Jordan, competing at Auburn for the first time, got off to a strong start as the junior established a new best in the 60m hurdles 8.84.
 
The distance medley relay of Joyce Kimeli, Weems, Gigi Maddox and Hannah Tarwater captured bronze in 12:10.30, for the Auburn women's final top-three finish of the meet.
 
Senior Skyler Daniel had a strong showing while placing fifth in the women's high jump. The Upland, Calif., native cleared 1.74m/5-8.5, just a quarter inch shy of equaling her personal best.
 
On the men's side, junior Marrel Parker won silver in the long jump with a leap of 7.23m/23-8.75 in his AU debut. Sophomore was third in the shot put after a toss of 14.76m/48-5.25.
 
Freshman Dontavious Hill of Mobile, Ala., established a new indoor PR in the men's high jump, clearing 2.05m/6-8.75 to finish tied for sixth place.
 
Senior Chris Stone equaled his second-best ever mark in the men's pole vault, finishing seventh after clearing 4.85m/15-11.
 
The Tigers will be back in action at the Vanderbilt Invitational, January 18-19, in Nashville, Tenn.