LEXINGTON, Kentucky—Auburn freshman Marley Raikiwasa broke a school record in the discus and qualified for NCAA Outdoors while teammate Vimbayi Maisvorewa also punched her ticket during the final day of competition at the NCAA East Preliminaries Saturday. The successful four-day meet saw Auburn qualify six individuals and one relay on the men's side and five individuals on the women's side.
Raikiwasa qualified for nationals after her first throw inside the ring with a new school record toss of 57.42m/188-5, breaking the previous mark held by teammate Maura Huwalt set last year. The Australian native's mark was good enough for fourth place overall while becoming the second Auburn freshman in program history to advance in the event, joining Katalin Mate in 2006.
Maisvorewa, who earned all-America honors in the 400m indoors earlier this year ran a lifetime best 51.43 to win her heat and gain an automatic qualifying spot for nationals. Her time was the third fastest in AU history and has only been bettered by Joanna Atkins in 2009 and school record holder Juliet Campbell in 1993.
Freshman Deborah Oke, who set the school freshman record two days earlier in the 400m first round, bettered that time during Saturday's quarterfinals, running 51.18 to finish 15th, narrowly missing NCAA qualifying contention.
Raikiwasa and Oke's school records were not the only Auburn marks to fall during the East Preliminaries. Junior Favor Ashe broke his own 100m record while equaling the nation's fastest time in 9.94, while junior Makanakaishe Charamba set the 200m record in 19.95. Kanyisola Ajayi meanwhile tied the Tigers' freshman record in the 100m with a PB 10.03.
The women's foursome of Oke, Maisvorewa, Ashantae Harvey, and Lalah Hasbrouck made a valiant effort in the 4x400m relay, posting a 3:31.57, the seventh fastest time in Auburn history and best time by the program in 13 years, but unfortunately missed nationals by one place.
The Tigers will be well represented in Eugene, Oregon in two weeks with a total of 13 individuals and one relay competing at the top collegiate meet in the country.
On the men's side, Auburn qualified Ajayi (100m), Ashe (100m), Charamba (200m), Michael May (decathlon), Matthew Rueff (shot put), Keyshawn Strachan (javelin) and Ja'Kobe Tharp (110m Hurdles) along with the 4x100m relay.
Qualfiers for the Tiger women include Paula Grauvogel (heptathlon), Megan Hague (shot put), Shaniya Holley (javelin), Maisvorewa (400m), Raikiwasa (discus) and Alyssa Quinones-Mixon (pole vault).
The 2024 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be held June 5-8 at historic Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus.
NCAA East Preliminaries – Day 4 Results
Kentucky Track & Field Complex – Lexington, Kentucky
May 25, 2024
Women's Discus Throw
4. Marley Raikiwasa 57.42m/188-5 PR, SR
** NCAA QUALIFIER **
38. Megan Hague 48.38m/158-9
Women's 400m
6. Vimbayi Maisvorewa 51.43 PR
** NCAA QUALIFIER **
15. Deborah Oke 51.18 PR
Women's Triple Jump
35. Amy Warren 12.37M/40-7
Women's 400m Hurdles
16. Abasiono Akpan 57.21
21. Lalah Hasbrouck 58.29
Women's 200m
16. Chante Clinkscale 23.10 PR
Women's 4x100m Relay
Auburn DQ
Danae Nembhard, Chante Clinkscale, Deborah Oke, Shonedra Richardson
Women's 4x400m Relay
13. Auburn 3:31.57
Deborah Oke, Vimbayi Maisvorewa, Ashantae Harvey, Lalah Hasbrouck
AUBURN WOMEN'S NCAA QUALIFIERS
Paula Grauvogel (heptathlon)
Megan Hague (shot put)
Shaniya Holley (javelin)
Vimbayi Maisvorewa (400m)
Marley Raikiwasa (discus)
Alyssa Quinones-Mixon (pole vault)
AUBURN MEN'S NCAA QUALIFIERS
Kanyinsola Ajayi (100)
Favour Ashe (100m)
Makanakaishe Charamba (200m)
Michael May (decathlon)
Matthew Rueff (shot put)
Keyshawn Strachan (javelin)
Ja'Kobe Tharp (110m Hurdles)
4x100m Relay
AUBURN SCHOOL RECORDS BROKEN
Men's 100m – Favour Ashe, 9.94
Men's 200m – Makarakishe Charamba, 19.95
Men's 100m Freshman – Kanyinsola Ajayi, 10.03 (tied)
Women's 400m Freshman – Deborah Oke, 52.18
Women's Discus – Marley Raikiwasa, 57.42m/188-5
