DES MOINES, Iowa — Auburn freshman Madi Malone capped a historic outdoor season with a seventh place finish in the women's hammer throw at the USTAF Outdoor Championships at Drake Stadium on the Drake University campus on Sunday. Malone broke her own school record on her third attempt with a mark of 66.75m/219-0.
The highest placing collegiate in the competition, Malone had three of six throws that were top 10 marks in Auburn history, including a throw of 65.35m, the No. 4 throw all-time at Auburn.
"We talked about trying to accomplish two goals, making finals and setting a new PR, which she did. That was very impressive considering she was competing against professionals," Auburn throws coach Pat Ebel said. "She beat all of the college competitors, including two of that beat her at nationals. To be a freshman, compete against all these professionals and make finals was a great accomplishment for Madi."
Malone capped the 2019 season as an NCAA Indoor and Outdoor All-American, a two-time SEC runner-up and was named the SEC female freshman field athlete of the year both indoors and outdoors. She set Auburn record in the weight throw indoors and recorded the top 10 hammer throws ever at Auburn in 2019.
Junior Kylee Carter, the 2019 NCAA runner up in the javelin throw, finished sixth at the USATF Outdoors with a best mark of 54.27m/178-0. The NACAC U23 Outdoor champion in the javelin three weeks earlier, Carter finished second among collegiate competitors at the US Outdoor meet.
"It was Kylee's first US Championships and she did well. She handled the pressure well and learned a lot," Ebel said. "It wasn't the result she wanted, but it's been a long training year and season. She performed well under the circumstances and it was a great year for her. This was a great experience for her moving forward into her senior season."
On the men's side, sophomore Cade Antonucci was 13th in the javelin throw with a mark of 65.60m. Competing against a very deep field, the men's javelin throw featured four athletes that posted season or career bests and the two top throws in the United States this year.
"Cade did real well for his first US Championships," Ebel said. "I think it was a great learning experience for him. I think moving forward a meet like this will propel him to bigger and better things."