BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas—Auburn juniors Alex Spyridonidis and Joyce Kimeli were the Tigers top performers on the second day of the 2021 SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships as each took home silver medals. Spyridondis finished second in the decathlon, becoming the Tigers' highest finisher in the event since 2003, while Kimeli repeated her 2019 performance as she was runner-up in the 3000m steeplechase.
The SEC indoor bronze medalist, Spyridonidis was consistent during the two-day, 10-event competition establishing four PRs while posting a career-best 7618 points, the fourth-best performance ever by an Auburn athlete in the event. The Hannover, Germany, native's best event came in the pole vault when he cleared a lifetime-best 5.10m/16-8.75 and E.B. Cushing Stadium record. His finish was the best at SEC outdoors since Maurice Smith was second 18 years ago.
Spyridonidis wasn't alone with a strong performance in the decathlon, as teammates David Edmondson and John Murray established lifetime best scores while finishing eighth and tenth, respectively. Edmondson, who was eighth at SEC indoors, scored 6626 points, while Murray had 6498 points.
Kimeli, vying for her first SEC Outdoor Championship, got out to a fast start and led comfortably the entire race until the final 300 meters when Arkansas' Krissy Gear passed her en route to victory. The Eldoret, Kenya native crossed in 9:47.32, the second-fastest time in Auburn history.
All-American Madi Malone took home bronze in the women's hammer throw after a toss of 64.70m/212-3 on her sixth and final attempt. The 2019 runner up in the event, Malone was in eighth place before improving by five places and almost two feet on her final toss.
Senior Natosha Jordan put together a career-best performance in the heptathlon to score 5530 points and finish sixth overall. The Augusta, Ga., native's point total was the second most in school history and the most by an Auburn woman ever at SEC Outdoors.
Junior Presley Weems automatically qualified for Saturday's finals of the women's 1500m as she won her heat in 4:17.27, the third fastest time in school history and the No. 2 time of qualifying.
Junior Tori McKinley finished eighth in the women's shot put with a season-best mark of 15.86m/52-0.5, repeating her eighth place in 2018 in the same event.
Sprinter Christopher Grant equaled a lifetime best 10.41 in the men's 100m to finish tenth, a one hundredth out of advancing to the finals.
Through eight of 21 events, the Auburn women are third with 36 points while the men are eighth with 16 points.
Saturday's final day of action will begin at 2:30 p.m. CT with the SEC Network broadcasting live from 5-9 p.m. Live results will be available online here.
2021 SEC OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
E.B. CUSHING STADIUM
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
MAY 13-15, 2021
DAY 2 RESULTS
WOMEN'S RESULTS
Heptathlon
6. Natosha Jordan, 5530 pts (PR)
100m Hurdles, 13.63 (PR)
High Jump, 1.71m/5-7.25
Shot Put, 11.78m/38-7.75
200m, 24.74 (PR)
Long Jump, 5.87m/19-1.25
Javelin Throw, 35.46m/116-4
800m, 2:30.71
Hammer Throw
3. Madi Malone, 64.70m/212-3
Shot Put
8. Tori McKinley, 15.86m/52-0.5
14. Maura Huwalt, 15.47m/50-9.25
17. Jocelynn Budwig, 14.55m/47-9
1500m
2. (Q) Presley Weems, 4:17.27
22. Faith Bett, 4:34.06
3000m Steeplechase
2. Joyce Kimeli, 9:47.32
15. Francis Patrick, 10:42.82 (PB)
MEN'S RESULTS
Decathlon
2. Alex Spyridonidis, 7618 pts (PR)
100m, 11.16 (PR)
Long Jump, 7.25m/23-9.5
Shot Put, 13.67m/44-10.25 (PR)
High Jump, 1.95m/6-4.75
400m, 50.90
110m Hurdles, 14.70
Discus Throw, 42.18m/138-5 (PR)
Pole Vault, 5.10m/16-8.75 (PR, FR)
Javelin Throw, 53.28m/174-10
1500m, 5:09.61
8. David Edmondson, 6626 pts (PR)
100m, 11.07 (PR)
Long Jump, 6.98m/22-10.75
Shot Put, 11.90m/39-0.5 (PR)
High Jump, 2.10m/6-10.75 (PR)
400m, 50.26
110m Hurdles, 16.41
Discus Throw, 30.05m/98-7
Pole Vault, 3.50m/11-5.75
Javelin Throw, 44.53m/146-1 (PR)
1500m, 5:05.11
10. John Murray, 6498 (PR)
100m, 11.61
Long Jump, 6.42m/21-0.75
Shot Put, 13.25m/44-10.25 (PR)
High Jump, 1.92m/6-3.5
400m, 52.29
110m Hurdles, 15.41
Discus Throw, 35.20m/115-6
Pole Vault, 3.30m/10-10
Javelin Throw, 58.48m/191-10 (PR, FR)
1500m, 5:20.19
110m Hurdles
13. Oquendo Bernard, 14.43
100m
10. Christopher Grant, 10.41 (PR)
20. Jason Reese, 10.63 (PB)
3000m Steeplechase
13. Silas Kipngetich, 9:13.67
18. Jack Rogers, 9:24.78
High Jump
12. TJ Funches, 2.07m/6-9.5
Shot Put
10. Adam Strouf, 17.98m/59-0
Spyridondis, Kimeli take home silver medals at SEC Outdoors
