GAINESVILLE, Fla.—Auburn distance runner Presley Weems had a career weekend at the Florida Relays as the senior broke the Auburn women's 1500m and 800m school records, while posting the nation's top mark at 1500m. It was a strong meet across the board for the Tigers, with four individual event wins and a collective 33 collegiate or lifetime bests established by the squad.
Weems' 1500m win shattered the previous school mark of 4:17.81 set by Rachel Sauder in 1996, as the Hoover, Ala., native crossed in 4:14.35 for victory and establish the nation's top time in the event. Less than 24 hours later, she captured silver in the 800m with a time of 2:04.58, besting the previous school record of 2:04.88 held by Kareen Gayle (2004). Her 800m time is the eighth best time in 2021 in the event.
All-American throwers Kylee Carter and Madi Malone both returned to the winner's circle as Carter won the women's javelin throw and Malone the women's hammer throw.
Carter's best mark of 57.38m/188-3 is the nation's No. 3 mark and was the second-best throw in school history. It was a strong field series for Carter as three of her sixth marks were among the top 10 in the Auburn record book. Teammate Ashley Carter also had a career-best outing, taking third place while becoming Auburn's No. 2 performer in school history in the event with a heave of 52.74m/173-0, good for No. 11 in the country this season.
On Saturday, Malone notched the second and third best throws ever at Auburn, as she won the event by nearly four feet with a throw of 65.81m/213-11. Malone left the weekend ranked No. 10 nationally.
Auburn's fourth event win came from freshman Kamiya Dendy who won her first collegiate event, capturing the women's high jump with a leap of 1.80m/5-10.75. The mark established a new lifetime best for Dendy and was good for sixth nationally. Teammate Caroline Lawrence tied for second after equaling a PB mark of 1.75m/5-8.75.
Two-time NCAA javelin throw qualifier Cade Antonucci had one of his best meets in an Auburn uniform as the senior recorded three of the top 10 marks ever at Auburn, including a new lifetime best mark of 73.46m/241-0. The mark was good for second place at the meet and the second best throw all-time at Auburn and moved him into ninth nationally.
Combined, the Auburn men's and women's throws collected eight personal-bests during the meet.
Other medal performances during the meet came in the men's 3000m and from the men's 4x100m relay. Freshman Dustyn Lewis ran a personal-best 8:24.75 for second place while Silas Kipngetich was third in 8:26.15. The foursome of Brandon Smiley, Christopher Grant, Jevony Murray and Dante Brown ran 39.90 for third place.
Next up for the Tigers are a pair of meets over the coming weekend. The squad will split up as some will compete at the Tennessee Relays, April 8-10, in Knoxville, Tenn., while others will be at the Joe Walker Invitational, April 9-10, in Oxford, Miss.
2021 FLORIDA RELAYS
JAMES G. PRESSLY STADIUM, PERCY BEARD TRACK
GAINESVILLE, FLA
MEN'S RESULTS
100m
6. Christopher Grant 10.51
9. Jason Reese 10.68
200m
6. Dante Brown 20.72
9. Brandon Smiley 21.01
28. Jason Reese 21.72
400m
21. Malik Metivier 48.47
800m
4. Eric Brown 1:49.88
11. Evan Rogers 1:54.87
1500m
11. Silas Kipngetich 3:52.22
12. Tommy McDonough 3:52.52
14. Ryan Kinnane 3:53.66
3000m
2. Dustyn Lewis 8:24.75
3. Silas Kipngetich 8:26.15
5. Carson Bedics 8:31.24
Tommy McDonough DNF
110m Hurdles
15. John Murray 15.43
400m Hurdles
4. Malik Metivier 50.37
4x100m Relay
3. Auburn 39.90
Brandon Smiley, Christopher Grant, Jevony Murray, Dante Brown
High Jump
9. TJ Funches 2.05m/6-8.75
John Murray NH
Pole Vault
5. Matthew Asplund 4.70m/15-5
James Courson NH
Shot Put
5. Adam Strouf 18.17m/59-7.5
Discus Throw
12. Kyle Moison 46.69m/152-10
Hammer Throw
6. Kyle Brown 65.08m/213-6
8. Kyle Moison 59.38m/194-10
9. Erik Ebel 58.44m/191-9
Javelin Throw
2. Cade Antonucci 73.46m/241-0
6. Erik Ebel 61.28m/201-0
7. Josh Wallace 55.09m/180-9
WOMEN'S RESULTS
100m
12. Destiny Charles 11.95
200m
11. Destiny Charles 23.73
30. Myra Mack 25.16
32. Patrice Moody 26.49
400m
Niya Benton-Andrews
800m
2. Presley Weems 2:04.58
16. Abbey Zane 2:14.04
17. Samantha Rogers 2:14.31
29. Jen Dietrich 2:22.13
1500m
1. Presley Weems 4:14.35
10. Abbey Zane 4:29.69
14. Frances Patrick 4:37.77
3000m
4. Faith Bett 9:50.25
6. Frances Patrick 9:54.99
10. Sara Pacer 10:16.58
100m Hurdles
17. Natosha Jordan 13.98
400m Hurdles
11. Tylar Colbert 1:01.11
13. Niya Benton-Andrews 1:02.18
4x100m Relay
7. Auburn 45.53
Tylar Colbert, Niya Benton-Andrews, Destiny Charles, Myra Mack
High Jump
1. Kamiya Dendy 1.80m/5-10.75
T2. Caroline Lawrence 1.75m/5-8.75
T11. Natosha Jordan 1.70m/5-7
Pole Vault
5. Lexie Leinneweber 3.75m/12-3.5
Shot Put
12. Jocelynn Budwig 14.74m/48-4.5
16. Maura Huwalt 14.54m/47-8.5
18. Tori McKinley 14.13m/46-4.25
Discus Throw
12. Joceylnn Budwig 48.70m/159-9
13. Maura Huwalt 47.83m/156-11
18. Tori McKinley 41.50m/136-2
Hammer Throw
1. Madi Malone 65.81m/213-11
9. Jocelynn Budwig 55.31m/181-5
Javelin Throw
1. Kylee Carter 57.38m/188-3
3. Ashley Carter 52.74m/173-0
7. Shaniya Holley 45.56m/149-6
Weems breaks school 1500m, 800m records at Florida Relays
