BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Freshman Kanyinsola Ajayi of the Auburn track & field team was selected as the 2024 SEC Men's Indoor Track & Field Freshman Runner of the Year, the conference office announced Wednesday.
After a successful showing at the SEC Indoor Track & Field Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Ajayi was named to the All-SEC First Team. With a time of 6.60 in the men's 60m dash, Ajayi became the third Auburn man to win gold in the event in the last four years. He was the first freshman to finish first at SEC Indoors since Sajay Ayre won the 400m dash 24 years ago.
Competing for the first time in an Auburn uniform at the Tiger Paw Invitational in Clemson, South Carolina, Ajayi finished fifth in the men's 60m dash with a time of 6.63. He was first out of 71 competitors in the preliminary round, crossing in 6.64.
Ajayi is No. 7 on the Auburn men's indoor top performers list and has the No. 4 time in the SEC in the event. His time is No. 21 nationally.
The winners were voted on by the league's head coaches.
2024 SEC Indoor Track & Field Awards
Men's Runner of the Year
Christopher Morales-Williams, Georgia
Men's Field Athlete of the Year
Tarik Robinson-O'Hagan, Ole Miss
Men's Freshman Runner of the Year
Kanyinsola Ajayi, Auburn
Men's Freshman Field Athlete of the Year
John Kendricks, Arkansas
Men's Coach of the Year
Chris Bucknam, Arkansas
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Women's Co-Runners of the Year
Michaela Rose, LSU
Parker Valby, Florida
Women's Field Athlete of the Year
Lamara Distin, Texas A&M
Women's Freshman Runner of the Year
JaMeesia Ford, South Carolina
Women's Co-Freshman Field Athletes of the Year
Taylor Fingers, LSU
Giavonna Meeks, Vanderbilt
Women's Coach of the Year
Chris Johnson, Arkansas