AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn track & field returns to Clemson, South Carolina to compete in the Bob Pollock Invitational Jan. 31 – Feb. 1. The two-day meet will be held at the Clemson University Indoor Complex, kicking off with women’s long jump at 11 am CT Friday.
The Tigers are coming off a competitive start to the season with 15 personal bests, 13 Auburn top 10 performances and three event wins at the Orange & Purple Invitational last week in Clemson.
"A lot of our athletes put on a show," Auburn track and field head coach Leroy Burrell said. "We got quite a bit done. I know that by the time it matters most, the whole group will be at its best. Come the SEC championships, we will be ready.”
The highlight of the weekend was freshman Brenda Jepchirchir in the women’s 3000m race. Jepchirchir’s time of 9:08.37 broke Joyce Kimeli’s 2019 record of 9:24.59. Jepchirchir finished second overall and won SEC Women’s Freshman of the Week for her performance.
“Starting with Maka Charamba in the 200m ... it’s a great start to the year for him,” Burrell said. “Those turns can be a challenge, but he navigated those things really well and, in my opinion, he’s got a lot more.”
Senior Charamba posted the nation’s No. 1 time in the 200m dash (20.55). He equaled his personal best with the fourth fastest time in the world this year and second fastest Auburn indoor time.
Making his indoor debut this season, sophomore Ja’Kobe Tharp delivered a personal best in the preliminary round of the 60m hurdles (7.60) to take the sixth-fastest time in the nation. Tharp is second on Auburn's Top Indoor Performers List.
Sophomore Kayinsola Ajayi and freshman Isreal Okon posted collegiate bests in the 60m with the former crossing the line in 6.57 and the latter in 6.65.
"The PRs were all over the place. They happened time and time again,” Burrell said. “I could not be prouder of the way our group handled the changing conditions."
Auburn distance also had a solid outing led by sophomore Max Hardin, who finished first in the men’s mile and became the No. 3 performer in Auburn history (3:59.57).
The throwing group has performed well so far, but high expectations remain for the senior-heavy squad.
“We welcomed back a couple of redshirt seniors,” Burrell said. “They’re throwing well, but they’re not quite where they were before their redshirt year.”
Senior Maura Huwalt continued her hot streak in women's weight throw. She earned gold for the second time in two weeks with a toss of 21.01m.
Sophomore Megan Hague also had a career day in Clemson. She placed second in shot put with a personal best of 16.67m, which was good for the No. 8 in the conference.
Going toe-to-toe with Auburn this weekend will be the host NR/No.3 Clemson, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Tech, Syracuse and UAB.
Live results can be found at flashresults.com and will be live streamed on ACCNX Friday and Saturday.