AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn track & field team will return to competition for the first time since June of 2021 when it officially begins the indoor season at the Commodore Challenge on Friday. Kickstarting the action from the Vanderbilt Multipurpose Facility will be the men's high jump at 3 p.m. CT while the women's 200m will signal the commencement of running events at 5:30 p.m. CT.
"This weekend is all about competing," Tigers head coach Ralph Spry said. "Don't set your expectations too high or too low. Get in there, grind it out and see where you stand. When you do that, you end up having great performances a lot of times."
This year marks the 25th season with Spry at the helm of the track & field program.
Amongst the slew of heavy hitters returning to action for the Tigers are veteran distance runner and national champion Joyce Kimeli, school record holder and first team All-American Madi Malone, SEC 60m sprint champion Dante Brown, SEC indoor medalists Kyle Brown, James Courson, Christopher Grant, Dontavious Hill and Alex Spyridonidis as well as SEC indoor scorers Jocelynn Budwig, David Edmondson and Presley Weems.
The Tigers' last indoor appearance in Nashville came just a season ago at the Music City Challenge, a meet that consisted of eight Auburn event wins, 23 personal records and one school record from Malone.
"Of course, I want everyone to do well," Spry said, "but this weekend, I don't care how fast you run or how far you throw. I want them to focus on breaking the ice, competing, and getting the ball rolling. That's how you set the foundation for a good indoor season."
Opening their seasons alongside the Tigers this weekend will be Austin Peay, Belmont, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Lipscomb, Middle Tennessee, Murray State, South Florida, Tennessee Tech, UAH, Western Kentucky and William Carey.
Tickets to the meet may be purchased on-site for $5. Vanderbilt Athletics asks that all spectators wear a mask covering the nose and mouth at all times.
Live results for the Commodore Challenge can be found at CFPItiming.com.