Nashville, Tenn. – Auburn junior John Murray won the men's heptathlon on the second day of the Vanderbilt Invite which saw the Tigers establish 23 new personal best marks during the meet.
After an impressive first day in the heptathlon, Murray carried that momentum into the final three events Saturday. Murray concluded the day with a personal best time of 2:56.45 in the 1,000m run. His combined score of 5624 was good for first place by nearly 500 points and the number three total in the country this seal. The Madison, Alabama native became the number three performer in Auburn history in the heptathlon.
Close behind Murray were freshman James Patrick and Micheal May. Patrick finished fourth overall with 4844 total points while May was sixth with 4668 points. In their first full heptathlon of the year, the two became the number nine and number ten performers in Auburn history.
Another freshman to achieve high marks was Grant Griffin in the men's shot put open event. On his final throw of the competition, Griffin set a new personal best mark of 17.46m/57-3.50 to win the event. Four of his six throws surpassed his previous personal best of 16.15m/53-0.
In the men's mile, three of the four Tigers to cross the line recorded a new personal best. NCAA cross country qualifier, Ryan Kinnane led the way followed by teammate Cooper Atkins both clocking 4:04.98. Sophomore Louis O'Loughlin (4:22.50) and freshman Rex Green (4:22.50) also recorded new personal best times.
On the women's side, top five finishes came by way of Hallie Porterfield (4:51.49) in the mile, Lexie Leinneweber (3.80m/12-5.50) in the pole vault, Maura Huwalt (16.77m/55-0.25) in the weight throw, Amy Warren (12.66m/41-6.50) in the triple jump and Abasiono Akpan (56.70) in the 400m.
Up Next
The men and women of Auburn track & field travel to Lubbock, Texas to compete in the Texas Tech Open & Multis meet on January 26-28.
MEN'S RESULTS
Heptathlon—Day 2
1. John Murray 5624*
4. James Patrick 4844*
6. Micheal May 4668*
7. Takis Patikas 4656*
Heptathlon, 60m Hurdles
1. Micheal May 8.30*
2. John Murray 8.39
4. James Patrick 8.67*
12. Takis Patikas 9.25*
Heptathlon, Pole Vault
3. Micheal May 4.30m/14-1.25*
5. John Murray 4.20m/13-9.25
8. Takis Patikas 4.00m/13-1.25*
9. James Patrick 4.00m/13-1.25*
Heptathlon, 1,000m
4. Takis Patikas 2:48.84*
5. Micheal May 2:53.61*
6. John Murray 2:56.45*
7. James Patrick 2:56.46*
Shot Put Open
1. Grant Griffin 17.46m/57-3.25*
Shot Put
6. Matthew Rueff 17.02m/55-10.25
8. Ethan Richter 16.55m/54-3.75
Mile
7. Ryan Kinnane 4:04.98*
8. Cooper Atkins 4:04.98
9. Louis O'Loughlin 4:05.08*
44. Rex Green 4:22.50*
DNF. Evan Rogers
DNS. Benson Atkins
400m
11. Luke Roberts 49.09*
DNS. John Stephens
800m
17. Davis Plowden 1:54.49*
33. Reese Bell 1:58.24*
DNF. Benson Atkins
3,000m
6. Carson Bedics 8:22.46
18. Joseph Perry 8:30.83*
19. Dustyn Lewis 8:31.26
WOMEN'S RESULTS
Mile
3. Hallie Porterfield 4:51.49
26. Hailey Marston 5:06.32
Pole Vault Open
3. Lexie Leinneweber 3.80m/12-5.50
NH. Rhiannon Held
Triple Jump
3. Amy Warren 12.66m/41-6.50
13. Essence Thomas 12.25m/40-2.25
400m
4. Abasiono Akpan 56.70*
Shot Put
2. Maura Huwalt 16.77m/55-0.25
24. Trinity Love 12.48m/40-11.50
DNS. Megan Hague
