Columbia, S.C.—Redshirt freshman Joyce Kimeli and junior Presley Weems grabbed victories and thrower Madi Malone broke a school freshman record at the final day of the Carolina Challenge Saturday to lead the way for the Auburn track and field program. Kimeli won the women's 5000m, while Weems won her second event in as many days, winning the 800m. Malone broke a six-year old school freshman mark in the weight throw while claiming a silver medal.
Weems' weekend was highlighted by two PRs and a facility record. The Hoover, Ala., native won the 800m Saturday crossing in 2:09.48, her lifetime best indoors. That race came less than 24 hours after winning the mile with a time of 4:50.42, another PR and a new South Carolina Indoor facility record.
Kimeli, competing in just her second indoor meet of her life, won the 5000m race by a convincing 10 seconds. The redshirt freshman from Eldoret, Kenya is off to a strong indoor season after breaking the Auburn freshman record at 3000m last weekend at the Bob Pollock Invitational.
Malone had a stellar day while finishing second in the weight throw. Malone's PR of 19.03m/62-5.25 broke Daina Levy's Auburn freshman record of 60-0.25 set in 2013. Erin Perkins fared well in the event, grabbing bronze with a toss of 18.68m.
Sophomore Noah Igbinoghene had a big showing on the men's side finishing second in the long jump with a new lifetime best of 7.66m/25-1.75. The mark surpassed his indoor PR by 8.75 inches and his outdoor best by six inches.
Sophomore Carolina Lawrence, winner of the women's high jump last weekend, had another good outing finishing second in the event Saturday after clearing 1.70m/5-7.
The weekend saw five event wins, as the Auburn women's distance was the headliner, winning four times. Junior Frances Patrick joined Kimeli and Weems in the winner's circle after taking the 3000m race Friday. Tori McKinley was Auburn's fifth event winner, with huge PR of 17.27m/56-8 to claim the weight throw. Her toss bested her previous mark by three feet.
The Auburn women's distance group, led by wins from Presley Weems in the mile and Frances Patrick in the 3000m (10:02.17), pace the Tigers at the Carolina Challenge at the South Carolina Indoor Track Facility Friday. Tori McKinley also brought home gold for Auburn, winning the women's weight throw.
Auburn's next competition will be February 8-9 at the Tiger Paw Invite in Clemson, S.C.
