BOSTON, Massachusetts—Auburn senior Sanaa Barnes and junior Simone Johnson both achieved second team All-America honors on Saturday during the final day of the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Track and New Balance in Boston. Barnes finished ninth in the high jump, while Johnson was 11th in the triple jump.
Competing in her sixth NCAA Championships, Barnes equaled her lifetime best of 1.85m/6-0.75 that she set twice earlier this season, including two weeks ago at the SEC Indoor meet. The Northlake, Texas native successfully cleared 1.75m, 1.80m and 1.85m on her first attempt at each height. The first attempt success at 1.85m was the first of Barnes' career.
Looking to establish a new lifetime best at 1.88m/6-2, Barnes came up just short on all three attempts. Barnes' ninth place finish was the best by an Auburn athlete in the event at national indoors since Maya Pressley took eighth place in 2011.
In the triple jump, Johnson leaped 13.13m/43-1 on her first attempt and was fifth overall after the first round. Despite her best mark of 13.17m/43-2.5 on the second round, she fell to 10th overall, one spot shy of advancing to the finals.
The Fresno, California native needed a leap of 13.26m or better to make finals but came up four inches shy of advancing after a third and final attempt of 12.90m/42-4. Johnson's 11th-place showing was the best at nationals for Auburn since Marshay Ryan was fourth in triple jump in 2017.
Barnes and Johnson joined teammate Vimbayi Maisvorewa who also earned second team All-America honors on Friday as the Mutare, Zimbabwe, native was 14th in the 400m dash.
The Auburn outdoor season will begin next week when the Tigers compete in the Yellow Jacket Invitational, March 15-16, on the campus of Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships – Day 2
The TRACK at New Balance – Boston, Massachusetts
March 9, 2024
Women's High Jump
9. Sanaa Barnes 1.85m/6-0.75
Women's Triple Jump
11. Simone Johnson 13.17m/43-2.5
Day 1 Results
Women's 400m
14. Vimbayi Maisvorewa 53.29
Barnes, Johnson secure All-America honors at NCAA Indoors
