CLEMSON, S.C.—Auburn sophomore All-American Joyce Kimeli continued to put her stamp on the school record books in 2020 as she broke her third school record of the season, breaking the 3000m mark on Friday at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston. Kimeli crossed in 9:14.07, to break the time 9:19.91 set by Veronica Eder in 2017.
Kimeli now holds the Auburn indoor records for the mile, 3000m and 5000m, times she has broken in just three races this season. Kimeli started the record run in December when she set the 5000m Auburn mark and just two weeks ago competing in her first-ever indoor mile, broke Janet Trujillo's 23-year old record.
Overall, it was a strong performance for the Tigers in their last regular season meet before the SEC Indoors in two weeks. While Kimeli raced in Boston, the rest of the team ran at the Tiger Paw Invite in Clemson, S.C., where 21 personal bests were amassed.
Madi Malone continued her strong season, winning silver in the women's weight throw with a toss of 21.11m/69-3.25. In the women's shot put, Tori McKinley (15.34m/50-4) and freshman Jocelynn Budwig (15.12m/49-7.25) had solid marks while finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.
Auburn distance was particularly impressive as besides Kimeli's school record and PR in the 3000m, nine personal-bests were established at Clemson including six at 800m and three in the mile. Tommy McDonough posted a new PR in the 800m (1:55.94) and also claimed fourth in the men's mile, while on the women's side, Abbey Zane was fifth in the mile as she PR'ed in both the mile and 800m.
The men's distance medley relay of Jack Rogers, Ryan Lee, Evan Rogers and Andy Smith won bronze, crossing in 10:01.94.
Newcomer Brandon Smiley was seventh in the men's 200m in 21.07 while teammate Christopher Grant was 11th in the 60m after back-to-back times of 6.71. Freshman Destiny Charles had a new PR in the 200m with a time 24.03.
Sophomore Dontavious Hill cleared a season-best 2.12m/6-11.50 to take fifth in the men's high jump, while on the women's side, senior Natosha Jordan was eighth (1.73m/5-8).
Auburn will have a weekend off before traveling to the 2019 Southeastern Conference Indoor Championships, February 28-29, in College Station, Texas.