AUBURN, Ala. – For Auburn's Presley Weems, the third time was not only the charm, the third time was the best time – in the country.
Racing the 1,500 meters for only the third time in college and the first time in three years at the Florida Relays on April 2, Weems recorded the nation's fastest time in 2021 to that point, 4:14.35, smashing by 3.46 seconds an Auburn record that had stood for 25 years.
"It was a big surprise," said Weems, who bested her personal record in the event by 16 seconds. "When I saw the time I was like, 'What in the world?' I was not expecting that at all. It was very exciting."
Weems' grip on the record did not last long. While the previous mark lasted a quarter-century, the new one endured only seven days before Auburn All-American Joyce Kimeli, running the 1,500m for the first time collegiately, clocked a 4:13:15 Friday in Oxford, Mississippi. Kimeli's time ranks No. 3 nationally this year while Weems' now stands at No. 6.
In Weems' record-setting run, she remained close to the front-runners for three laps before sprinting to the lead on the final lap.Striking distance: As the 1,500m reached the final lap, Presley Weems (No. 65) made her move
"If there's a pack in front of me, just knowing I'm in contact gives me a little bit of confidence," she said. "If I can just stay with them, everyone's going to kick at the same time. You're trying to be confident in what you've got. I try to make sure I'm in the race when the time comes."
Before the race, Weems and Auburn assistant coach David Barnett went over their strategy.
"We always talk about, we're not going to hope things go well, we're going to make it happen," Barnett said. "She definitely made it happen in Florida."'Make it happen': Nearing the finish line, Presley separates from the pack in the 1,500 meters at the Florida Relays
"I'm a very mental visualizer," she said. "Coach Barnett told me there was a certain pace they were going to go. I thought, 'Okay, I've just got to stay on for that long and see what I've got left when it comes down to it.'
"Once you commit to your kick, you've got to go. You can't have second thoughts. That's the fun part of racing. Physically, you really might not have a lot left. Everyone wants to win so I think a lot of it comes down to how tough you can be."
Weems' wondrous weekend wasn't done. The next day, she broke Auburn's record in the 800 meters, winning the silver in 2:04.58, becoming the first Auburn track and field athlete to set two school marks at one meet since Olympic silver medalist Coby Miller in 1999.
"Coach Barnett and I have talked about how it takes years to be able to get that kind of strength," said Weems of her ability to quickly recharge. "I'm happy that I've put in all the mileage over time because it does help. The training over time gets you ready and strong enough to be able to be ready to go the next day, too."
"She's very athletic, very explosive and very fast," Barnett said. "It's been a matter of building up her endurance over the years. She's really bought in but she's never lost her edge that comes from being a sprinter first."
After graduating from Auburn University's College of Human Sciences in May 2020 with a degree in nutrition and wellness, Weems is working on her MBA from the Harbert College of Business. The same dedication she displays on the track benefits her in the classroom.
"Even when you are running faster, you still have those doubts," she said. "Being able to push past that and training your mind to do that does help you in other aspects of life."'Coming back for more': After setting two Auburn records in one meet, the SEC named Presley its Runner of the Week
An injury cost Weems the 2019 outdoor season. A pandemic knocked out the 2020 season. A less driven student-athlete might have moved on to other pursuits. Presley persevered.
"I'm really passionate about running," she said. "It's an outlet for me. I love coming to practice. It's my time to goof off with my friends.
"Seeing the fruits of the work you put in and the life lessons that running has taught me that I'm going to be able to carry on. Time management and being driven to make the sacrifices and seeing what can happen when you do those things. That's what keeps me coming back for more.
"I'm very competitive and I want to see how far I can push myself."
"I was not expecting to run that fast."
— Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) April 8, 2021
🗣@PresleyW15
Presley set two @AuburnTFXC records last weekend, in the 1500m & 800m.
Her 4:14.35 is the fastest 1500m in 🇺🇸 @NCAATrackField this year.
📷: (@shannalo first pic) pic.twitter.com/DzoGQK0UNR
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer