EUGENE, Ore.—Junior Joyce Kimeli ran the seventh-fastest collegiate 3000m Steeplechase ever and broke her own school record to qualify for Saturday's finals and junior Alex Spyridonidis finished fifth in the men's decathlon to highlight Auburn's efforts during the second day of the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Kimeli broke her own school record winning heat one in 9:35.57 to automatically qualify for Saturday's finals at 3:24 p.m. PT. The Eldoret, Kenya, native led wire-to-wire as her time was the third fastest of the two semifinal heats at Hayward Field.
Spyridonidis notched six personal bests in the 10 events to record a lifetime-best 7665 points, the best finish at a NCAA Outdoor Championship by a Tiger since Maurice Smith was third in 2003. His fifth-place finish equals his NCAA Indoors heptathlon finish just three months ago where he also established a lifetime best.
After posting four PRs on Day 1, Spyridonidis was solid across the board during Day 2, recording the event's top pole vault mark, clearing 5.01m/16-5.25 while also setting a new Auburn PR in the javelin (53.69m/176-1). On the final event of the competition, Spyridonidis ran 4:48.30 in the 1500m, besting his previous PR in the event by five seconds.
Senior Kylee Carter, Auburn's most decorated javelin thrower in school history concluded her Auburn career with a sixth-place finish after recording a best heave of 55.00m/180-5 on her first of six attempts. Teammate Ashely Carter set a new personal best in the event with a mark of 53.04m/174-0 to finish 14th.
Sophomore Madi Malone, hampered by nagging injuries the entire outdoor season finished 19th in the hammer throw with a best mark of 63.96m/209-10 on her third and final attempt.
Junior Presley Weems, competing in her first NCAA Outdoors finished 15th in the 1500m semifinals crossing in 4:14.61, the fourth fastest time in school history.
The Auburn men are in a seven-way tie for seventh place with 10 points with seven of 21 events scored. The women are tied for 21st (3 points) with five events complete.
Friday's third day will see the debut of Natasha Jordan in the women's two-day heptathlon starting with the 100m Hurdles at 12 p.m. PT. On the men's side, senior Eric Brown will race in the 800m finals at 6:14 p.m. and Malik Metivier in the 400m Hurdles at 6:27 p.m.
ESPN2 will air Friday action live from 5-7:30 p.m. PT. Live results will be available via Flash Results here.
NCAA OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
HAWARD FIELD – EUGENE, OR
DAY 2 RESULTS
Thursday, June 10
Decathlon
5. Alex Spyridonidis, 7665 (PR)
110m Hurdles, 14.99
Discus, 38.97m/127-10
Pole Vault, 5.01m/16-5.25
Javelin, 53.69m/176-1 (PR)
1500m, 4:48.30 (PR)
Women's Hammer Throw
19. Madi Malone, 63.96m/209-10
Women's 1500m, Semifinal
15. Presley Weems, 4:14.61
Women's 3000m Steeplechase, Semifinal
Q. Joyce Kimeli, 9:35.57 (PR, SR)
Women's Javelin Throw
6. Kylee Carter, 55.00m/180-5
14. Ashely Carter, 53.04m/174-0
Day 3 Schedule: Friday, June 11
12 p.m. — 100m Hurdles, Heptathlon (Natosha Jordan)
1 p.m. — High Jump, Heptathlon (Natosha Jordan)
3 p.m. — Shot Put, Heptathlon (Natosha Jordan)
6:14 p.m. — Men's 800m, Final (Eric Brown)
6:27 p.m. — Men's 400m Hurdles, Final (Malik Metivier)
6:43 p.m. — 200m, Heptathlon (Natosha Jordan)
