COLLEGE STATION, Texas—The Auburn women had several outstanding efforts including five personal bests to highlight the Tigers' Day 1 performance at the Southeastern Conference Indoor Championships at the Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium on the campus of Texas A&M.
Senior Natosha Jordan had three PRs in the women's pentathlon en route to an eighth-place finishing, while sophomore All-American Joyce Kimeli posted the third fastest 5000m indoor time in school history to finish fifth, crossing in 16:11.46. Freshman thrower Jocelynn Budwig also scored for the Tigers taking eighth in the shot put with a PR toss of 15.76m/51-8.5.
Jordan recorded a lifetime-best 3,908 points in the pentathlon, moving her into No. 3 all-time at Auburn in the event. The Augusta, Ga., native was consistent all day, establishing new bests in the 60m hurdles (8.55) and long jump (5.65m/18-6.5). Teammate Keira McCarrell, competing in her first season at Auburn, was 15th with 3584 points, making her the No. 6 performer at AU.
Auburn women's throws had a strong group effort in the shot put behind Budwig as the Fowler, Calif., native became the first Auburn freshman to score at SEC Indoors in the shot since Valentina Muzaric in 2013. Junior Tori McKinley was ninth in the shot put with a season-best throw of 15.62m/51-3, while freshman Maura Huwalt was 15th after establishing a PR of 14.61m/47-11.25.
Junior Abbey Zane ran a tremendous anchor leg in the women's distance medley relay to help the Tigers to a ninth place finish in 11:39.89, the 10th best time in school history. Zane received the baton in 13th place and ran a 4:47.07, the third fastest anchor leg in the field to move up four spots.
In the men's 60m dash, sophomore transfer Christopher Grant advanced to Saturday's finals finishing sixth in 6.74. It's the ninth time in the last 12 years that an Auburn sprinter has advanced to the finals in the event.
Freshman David Edmondson is in eighth place after four of seven events in the men's heptathlon. The Old Harbour, Jamaica, native was second of all competitors in the high jump when he cleared a personal best 2.02m/6-7.5 surpassing his previous best by nearly three inches.
Action Saturday will begin at 10 a.m. with remaining events in the men's heptathlon. Field events will start at 1:15 p.m. followed by running events at 4:10 p.m. Day 2 action will air live online on SEC Network+ from 3:55-7:15 p.m. CT. Live results can be found at: https://auburntige.rs/2HZIUP5.
2019 SEC Indoor Track & Field Championships
Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium – College Station, Texas
Day 1 Results – February 27, 2020
Men's Heptathlon—60m
11. David Edmondson, 7.19
Men's Heptathlon—Long Jump
13. David Edmondson, 6.45m/21-2
Men's Heptathlon—Shot Put
16. David Edmondson, 10.56m/34-7.75
Men's Heptathlon—High Jump
2. David Edmondson, 2.02m/6-7.5 (PR)
Women's Pentathlon
8. Natosha Jordan, 3908 pts (PR)
15. Keira McCarrell, 3584 pts
Women's Pentathlon—60m Hurdles
7. Natosha Jordan, 8.55 (PR)
17. Keira McCarrell, 9.20
Women's Pentathlon—High Jump
T-3. Natosha Jordan, 1.74m/5-8.5
16. Keira McCarrell, 1.62m/5-3.75
Women's Pentathlon—Shot Put
3. Keira McCarrell, 12.14m/39-10
10. Natosha Jordan, 10.79m/35-4.75
Women's Pentathlon—Long Jump
11. Natosha Jordan, 5.65m/18-6.5 (T-PR)
20. Keira McCarrell, 5.15m/16-10.75
Women's Pentathlon—800m
9. Keira McCarrell, 2:30.60
11. Natosha Jordan, 2:31.54
Women's Shot Put
8. Joceylnn Budwig, 15.76m/51-8.5 (PR)
9. Tori McKinley, 15.62m/51-3 (SB)
15. Maura Huwalt, 14.61m/47-11.25 (PR)
Men's Pole Vault
James Courson, NH
Men's Long Jump
15. Marrel Parker, 6.94m/22-9.25
Men's 60m, Prelims
6. Christopher Grant, 6.74 (Q)
15. Jason Reese, 6.88
Women's 60m, Prelims
22. Hope Igbinoghene, 7.84
24. Patrice Moody, 7.93
Men's 400m
28. Nathaniel McRae, 49.18 (PR)
Women's Long Jump
17. Sarah Little, 5.43m/17-9.75
18. Imani Jones, 5.20m/17-0.75
Men's 800m
14. Ryan Lee, 1:56.29
Women's 800m
16. Jen Dietrich, 2:21.13
Men's 200m
12. Brandon Smiley, 21.17
25. Jason Reese, 21.92
26. Joshua Burks, 22.30
Women's 5000m
5. Joyce Kimeli, 16:11.46
Women's 200m
23. Destiny Charles, 24.56
Men's Distance Medley Relay
12. Jack Rogers, Nathaniel McRae, Evan Rogers, Tommy McDonough, 10:00.71
Women's Distance Medley Relay
9. Brenda Kigen, Myra Mack, Faith Bett, Abbey Zane, 11:39.89