AUBURN, Ala.—Auburn senior Natosha Jordan won the women's high jump and sophomore All-American Madi Malone took silver in the weight throw to lead the Tigers track and field team in the 2020 indoor opener at the Blazer Invite Friday. Several athletes had solid performances along the way, including newcomer Brandon Smiley who won bronze in the men's 300m dash.
"As a team I was really happy with how we performed," Auburn head coach Ralph Spry said. "They showed a lot of fight and I saw a lot of new faces compete for the first time. I liked what I saw as a whole. We got after it and won a lot of heats.
Jordan won her first indoor high jump meet of her career, clearing 1.77m/5-9.75 on her third attempt at the height. The Augusta, Ga., native also had a strong performance in the 60m hurdles with an 8.69 in prelims, just .01 of a second off her personal best, and finished fifth in the finals with an 8.71.
"Natosha did really well. She ran a good 60m hurdle race just missing a PR and won the high jump with a solid effort," Spry said. "Madi increased another turn in her technique and that's going to result in further distances.
An All-American indoors and outdoors as a freshman, Malone implemented a three turn technique in the off season and it paid off as she threw 21.33m/69-11.75, besting her throw of 17.41m at the same meet a year ago.
On the men's side, junior Brandon Smiley was third overall in the 300m dash, winning his heat easily in 34.10 while sophomore Christopher Grant posted a 6.70 in the semis of the men's 60m to make him the tenth fastest performer in school history in the event.
"Brandon was third overall and second fastest collegiate running a good 300 meters," Spry said. "Christopher Grant looked really good with a PR in the 60 meters. He going to be something special. He was the fastest collegiate at the meet."
Junior Jen Dietrich was third overall in the women's 500m with a time of 1:16.36 while sophomore All-SEC competitor Dontavious Hill tied for third in the men's high jump, clearing 2.10m/6-10.75.
"Overall as a team it was a really good opener against some good competition. Considering we just got back from the break and had three days of practice, it was a good stepping stone as we head to Nashville next week. We need to continue building on the success we had this weekend," Spry said.
Auburn returns to action January 17-18 at the Vanderbilt Invitational in Nashville, Tenn.