AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn track and field program will host its second and final home meet of the 2019 outdoor season Friday and Saturday with the War Eagle Invitational at the Hutsell-Rosen Track on the Auburn campus.
Friday will begin with the men's hammer throw at 2 p.m. CT followed by the women's hammer throw, men's and women's triple jump and women's javelin at 4 p.m. Running events Friday begin at 7 p.m. with the women's invitational 1500m and conclude at 8:05 p.m. with the men's invitational 5000m.
"This weekend will definitely be much more challenging meet in terms of competition. It's a bigger field and what we're looking for this time of year," Auburn head coach Ralph Spry said. "We'll have everyone competing as it's our second to last weekend before the conference championships."
A strong field will be present with 22 schools represented. Teams competing include Alabama, Alabama-Huntsville, Alabama State, Ball State, Christian Brothers, Cornell, Columbia, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa State, Jacksonville State, Memphis, Middle Tennessee State, Ole Miss, South Alabama, Tennessee, Troy, Quinnipiac, Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech.
"Some of the best throw programs in the country will be competing this weekend," Spry said. "The hammer throw and javelin will be very good on both the men and women. The sprints are going to be very good. On the oval itself, I think all events will be pretty talented, will be pretty good."
Featured performers for Auburn include junior Kylee Carter, sophomore Tori McKinley and freshman Madi Malone on the women's side. Carter currently is third nationally in the javelin throw, while McKinley is No. 4 in the country in the shot put. Malone meanwhile is No. 15 nationally in the hammer throw.
On the men's side, sophomore Cade Antonucci is the Tigers' top ranked athlete nationally, as he is 12th in the javelin, while freshman high jumper Dontavious Hill is No. 15 overall. Freshman sprinter Anthony Schwartz (100m) and the Tigers' 4x100m relay team are No. 28 in the country.
Saturday will mark senior day for the Auburn program as 11 seniors will be recognized at 11:30 a.m. CT. Field events begin at 11:30 a.m. with running events starting at noon with the women's 4x100m relay. Action will conclude on Day 2 with the men's 4x400m relay at 4:25 p.m.
"We look forward to recognizing 11 seniors on Saturday," Spry said. "We're very appreciative for their efforts at Auburn and I know that's the last time they'll don that great burnt orange and navy at home. It's something special for that group."
The 11 seniors competing at home including seven women and four men. The group includes men John Putnam, Mark Rubalcaba, Alex Tucker and Kevin Wyss and Skyler Daniel, Ann Gierow, Mattie McLawhorn, Peyton Montgomery, Ivana Muzaric, Erin Perkins and Danielle Springer on the women's side.
Live results can be found at https://auburntige.rs/WEInvite.