COLLEGE STATION, Texas—The Auburn track and field team will compete in the 2020 Southeastern Conference Championships this Friday and Saturday at the Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium on the campus of Texas A&M.
Action Friday will begin at 11:15 a.m. with the men's and women's multi events. Field events will start at 4:30 p.m. followed by running events at 5:10 p.m. Day 1 action will air live online on SEC Network+ from 5:10-9:45 p.m. CT.
The Tigers will be led by sophomore All-Americans Joyce Kimeli and Madi Malone. Kimeli has had an outstanding season, breaking Auburn's school record in the mile, 3000m and 5000m while racing just three times this season. Kimeli will race this weekend in the 3000m and 5000m and is ranked third in the SEC in both events. Malone, ranked fourth in the league in the weight throw, finished second in the event a year ago at SECs.
"Our biggest thing at SEC Indoors is that we have to capitalize on our key people that are in the mix like Joyce (Kimeli), Madi (Malone) and Christopher Grant," Auburn head coach Ralph Spry said. "They have to be ready to go because we can't leave any type of points on the table. It's going to be that kind of meet. We've been fighting for our lives this indoor season. We're beat up a little bit and the weather at Auburn hasn't been great."
On the men's side, Grant is Auburn's top ranked competitor. A sophomore sprint transfer from Northern Arizona and the 2019 Big Sky Indoor Freshman of the Year, Grant is fourth in the SEC in the 60m dash with a time of 6.64. Sophomore pole vaulter James Courson, who PRed earlier this season, clearing 5.20m/17-0.75, is the No. 6 vaulter in the league and will vie to become a first-time scorer at the conference meet.
"I expect our upperclassmen to go out there and get it done," Spry said. "We've got three or four national-level kids going in, but we have to let them set the tempo. Once things get off to a good start, we have a chance for things to snowball. If they give it their best effort, that's all I require. What more can you do. That's our mindset. Controlling things that we can control and let things fall where they fall."
Live results can be found at: https://auburntige.rs/2HZIUP5.