Fayetteville, Ark.—Auburn junior Kylee Carter continued her winning ways in 2019 she won the women's javelin throw at the Southeastern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships Thursday at John McDonnell Field on the University of Arkansas. The win was the first-ever by an Auburn woman in the javelin throw at the SEC Championships.
"It's really, really cool (to be an SEC Champion)," Cater said. "I've worked really, really hard all year. It's nice to come out on top. It took me until my last throw to come back. It was really stressful but we pulled it out. It's hasn't sunk in because it was such a stressful event."
A winner of all seven javelin events competed in during the outdoor season, Carter won on her final throw with a mark of 55.26m/181-3. The Beauregard, Ala., native led after one throw and was passed by Missouri's Sophia Rivera on Round 3. Trailing Rivera by 3'5" before the sixth and final round, Carter saved her best for last to pass Rivera and win by over three feet.
"I didn't know if I thought it was 55 meters or not, but I did everything I could possibly do to get it out there," Carter said. "It's really nice to have the records, but to come home with a medal for Auburn, it's really special."
Carter's victory was the first by an Auburn female at the outdoor championships since 2011 when Joanna Atkins won the 400m and Maya Pressley claimed gold in the high jump.
Senior distance runner Brenda Kigen, who five days earlier served as a graduation marshal for the Auburn School of Nursing at the May commencement ceremonies won silver in the women's 10,000m in 34:19.12. It was the best finish in the event by a Tiger female since Angela Homan won in 2006.
On the men's side sophomore Cade Antonucci and John Putnam finished eighth and ninth, respectively in the men's javelin throw. Antonucci posted his best throw of 68.14m/223-7 on his fifth throw, while Putnam had a season-best 67.67m/222-0 on his second toss.
Senior Kevin Wyss led for the first half of the men's 10,000m before finishing eighth in 30:14.24, the best finish by a Tiger male in the event since Ty McCormack was fourth in 2015.
Auburn's multi athletes had a strong first day as decathlete Chris Stone and heptathlete Natosha Jordan are both in fourth place in their respective events with one day of competition remaining. Jordan established a new Day 1 personal best with 3,266 points after posting career bests in the 100m hurdles (14.05) and 200m dash (24.84). Stone meanwhile came up 38 points shy of his Day 1 best, finishing the five events with 3,633 points.
After two of 21 scored events, the Auburn women are in first place with 16 points, while the Auburn men are in 11th place with two points.
Friday's action will begin at 12 p.m. CT with live results at www.flashresults.com.
The SEC Championships will be streamed live Friday at 6 p.m. CT. The meet will air live on the SEC Network Saturday at 5 p.m. The broadcast talent includes Dwight Stones, Larra Overton, Jill Montgomery and John Anderson.
2019 Southeastern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships
Auburn Results, Day 1
Men's Decathlon, Day 1
4. Chris Stone, 3633 pts
100m—11.14
Long Jump—6.78m/22-3
Shot Put—12.45m/40-10.25
High Jump—1.88m/6-2
400m—52.31
Women's Heptathlon, Day 1
4. Natosha Jordan, 3266 pts
100m H—14.05 (w)
High Jump—1.67m/5-5.75
Shot Put—10.69m/35-1
200m—24.84
Women's Javelin
1. Kylee Carter, 55.26m/181-3
11. Peyton Montgomery, 44.94m/147-5
12. Ashley Carter, 42.80m/147-5
Men's Javelin
8. Cade Antonucci, 68.14m/223-7
9. John Putnam 67.67m/222-0
14. Erik Ebel, 58.04/190-5
Men's 200m, Prelims
18. Shaun Shivers, 21.20
27. Chiason Tenkiang, 21.41
29. Jason Reese, 21.65
39. Joshua Burks, 22.26
Women's 200m, Prelims
28. Myra Mack, 24.27
Men's 400m Hurdles, Prelims
19. Caden Ciul, 54.35
20. Sherwayne Allen, 54.70
Women's 400m Hurdles, Prelims
15. Tylar Colbert, 1:07.05
Men's 10,000m
8. Kevin Wyss, 30:14.24
Women's 10,000m
3. Brenda Kigen, 34:19.12
Men's Hammer Throw
--. Erik Ebel, FOUL