Fayetteville, Ark.—Auburn redshirt freshman Madi Malone and sophomore Joyce Kimeli each won silver medals and broke school records in the process to lead the Tigers during Day 2 of the 2019 Southeastern Conference Outdoor Championships at John McConnell Field on the University of Arkansas campus. The Tiger women are in first place in the team race with 41 points with eight of 21 events completed.
Malone took second in the women's hammer throw, breaking her own school-record with a toss of 65.33m/214-4. The SEC Indoor silver medalist in the weight throw, Malone broke the school mark on her fourth of six attempts.
The competition was stressful for Malone after fouling on her first two throws and needing a clean mark in the top nine on her third throw to advance. The Wichita, Kan., native came through, posting a heave of 62.40m good enough to advance to finals.
"Today I fouled on my first two (throws) and it was really stressful," Malone said. "But as our coach says, trust the process. That's what I did. All season has been preparing me for this. I got it out of my head and went out there and got that third throw in. Finals came and I knew I had to get after it. My fourth throw was by best throw. I really got after in. It's good to know that I can do it."
Racing for just the third time ever in the 3000m steeplechase, Kimeli ran fantastic, crushing the Auburn school record by 25 seconds, finishing second in 10:00.94. The Eldoret, Kenya native ran in the lead with Arkansas' Devin Clark for 2500 meters before Clark pulled away for the victory. Kimeli broke Rachel Given's previous record of 10:26.25 set in 2014 and in the process moved into No. 11 nationally in the event.
"The race was fun. I'm really happy with the performance and proud of my effort," Kimeli said. "I'm happy with breaking the school record and doing well for Auburn."
Freshman sprinter Anthony Schwartz qualified for Saturday's finals in the men's 100m after running a 10.33 to finish third in the second heat and fifth overall. It is the 10th time in the last 11 years Auburn has been represented in the men's 100m finals at SECs.
Auburn had a strong showing in the multi events as junior Chris Stone was third in the decathlon, while on the women's side Natosha Jordan was fourth in the heptathlon.
Fourth after Thursday's first five events, Stone was a consistent performer Friday to finish with 7212 points, the eighth best total in school history. The Oreland, Pa., native gained ground Friday as the top finisher in consecutive events, claiming the pole vault (4.79m/15-5) and javelin throw (60.87m/199-8). Stone's silver medal is the best finish at SEC Outdoors in the event by an Auburn male since 2010.
"First day was some rough weather. It was all about fighting through that and staying in the mix," Stone said. "I'm happy for myself to fight hard and stay in it and come up big winning two of the last three events. The pole vault was good. I decided to go with a short approach based on the standings and that worked out. I had a season-best in the javelin throw and one of my top three throws ever. Throughout the 10 events it started to unfold and took advantage of some opportunities and got it done."
Jordan had a career performance, finishing with a lifetime-best 5389 points, for the third best effort in Auburn history in the heptathlon. The Augusta, Ga., native PR'ed in four of seven events over the two day competition, with huge bests Friday in the javelin throw (37.09m/121-8) and 800m run (2:27.48). Jordan's javelin toss of 37.09m was seven meters past her previous top mark. The 5389 points were the most by an Auburn female in the event at SECs since 1998 when Lacena Golding won the conference title with a school record 5750 points.
Tori McKinley finished sixth in the women's shot put to improve on her rookie campaign in 2018, when she was eighth. McKinley was in eighth after four throws before her toss of 16.37m/53-8.5 was good for three points in the team race. The 16.37m was the second-best mark of the outdoor season for the Hermitage, Pa., native.
Sophomore Noah Igbinoghene, 15th in the men's long jump as a true freshman improved seven spots to grab eighth after a career-best jump. After two fouls, Igbinoghene posted a lifetime-best 7.58m/24-10.5 on his third attempt to advance to the finals where he recorded his second best jump of the outdoor season (7.35m).
Senior Erin Perkins, third in the women's hammer throw in 2018, scored for the second consecutive year finishing eighth with a toss of 58.38m/191-6.
Silas Kipngetich ran with the lead pack for a majority of the men's steeplechase before falling back in the final two laps to post a new PR and finish fourth in 8:58.86.
Saturday's final day of action will begin at 12 p.m. CT with live results at www.flashresults.com.
The SEC Championships will air live on the SEC Network Saturday at 5 p.m. CT. The broadcast talent includes Dwight Stones, Larra Overton, Jill Montgomery and John Anderson.
2019 Southeastern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships
Auburn Results, Day 2
Men's Decathlon, Day 2
3. Chris Stone, 7212 pts
110m Hurdles—15.04
Discus Throw—39.91m/130-11
Pole Vault—4.70m/15-5
Javelin Throw—60.87m/199-8
1500m—5:10.38
Women's Heptathlon, Day 2
4. Natosha Jordan, 5389 pts
Long Jump—5.79m/19-0
Javelin—37.09m/121-8
800m—2:27.48
Women's Hammer Throw
2. Madi Malone, 65.33m/214-4
** School Record **
8. Erin Perkins, 58.38m/191-6
Women's Long Jump
21. Sarah Little, 5.64m/18-6
Men's High Jump
15. Dontavious Hill, 2.02m/6-7.5
Men's 110m Hurdles, Prelims
15. Craig Clark, 14.36
Women's 1500m, Prelims
24. Faith Bett, 4:43.61
Men's Long Jump
8. Noah Igbinoghene, 7.58m/24-10.5
14. Marrel Parker, 7.26m/23-10.75
15. Mark Rubalcaba, 7.22m/23-8.25
Men's 400m, Prelims
--. Chiason Tenkiang, DNF
Women's Shot Put
6. Tori McKinley, 16.37m/53-8.5
Men's 100m, Prelims
5. Anthony Schwartz, 10.33 (Q)
16. Shaun Shivers, 10.52
25. Jason Reese, 10.77
Women's 100m, Prelims
26. Sarah Little, 11.99
Men's 3000m Steeplechase
4. Silas Kipngetich, 8:58.86
Women's 3000m Steeplechase
2. Joyce Kimeli, 10:00.94
** School Record **
17. Frances Patrick, 11:05.68