FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.—Auburn junior distance runner Joyce Kimeli has been knocking on the door of a Southeastern Conference championship during her career, coming up just short with four runner-up finishes. On Friday night, she knocked the door down, with an impressive final kick over the last 100 meters to win her first SEC title, claiming the women's 5000m in a meet record time of 15:46.88.
Kimeli out-kicked Arkansas' Katie Izzo and Alabama's Mercy Chelangat around the fourth and final turn and down the homestretch after a fierce battle between the three during the final 2000m. Kimeli fell short to Izzo a year ago in the 3000m, was runner up twice at 5000m indoors and again at the 2019 SEC Outdoors in the 3000m Steeplechase.
The victory not only gave the Kenyan her first SEC gold medal, but she became Auburn's first conference champion indoors since 2012 and the first to win at 5000m since Lindsey Rogers 23 years ago in 1998.
Kimeli was one of several outstanding performances by Auburn men and women during day two as Dontavious Hill claimed silver in the men's high jump and transfer Alex Spyridonidis took bronze in the men's heptathlon.
Hill, a two-time eighth place finisher at SECs needed to clear one bar to claim his first SEC medal. Hill passed until 2.13m/6-11.75 and connected on his first attempt. The No. 11 performer nationally, Hill attempted twice at 2.20m and once at 2.23m, both which would have been new PRs, but failed to clear either height. The Mobile, Ala., native became the first Auburn high jumper to score in three consecutive SEC Indoor Championships since DJ Smith accomplished the feat four straight years from 2011-14.
Transfer Dante Brown and junior Christopher Grant both had big days and qualified for Saturday's finals of the men's 60m. Brown posted the fastest time in prelims with a personal best 6.62, while Grant, the 2019 SEC bronze medalist was fifth overall with a season-best 6.74. Also advancing to Saturday's finals was senior Presley Weems in the women's mile. Weems ran a personal best 4:42.37 to finish third in her heat to automatically qualify. She enters the finals with the eighth fastest time and will look to better her fourth place in the event two years ago.
Spyridonidis, who was third after one day of the heptathlon held on to his spot with a strong final day performance. The Hannover, Germany, native set a new PB in the pole vault, clearing 5.05m/16-4.75 and had two strong efforts in the 60m hurdles and 1000m to close with 5712 points, the most by an Auburn heptathlete since Maurice Smith in 2005.
Teammate David Edmondson also closed strong on day two to finish tied for seventh with a lifetime-best 5211 points. Edmondson had PBs in the pole vault (3.85m/12-7.5) and 1000m (2:46.15) and moved into No. 5 on Auburn's performer's list in the event.
Junior Caroline Lawrence also became a first-time SEC scorer after clearing 1.71m/5-7.25 to tie for eighth place in the women's high jump.
Thru six of 17 events, the Auburn men are in fifth place with 19 points, while the women are in seventh with 16.5 points with 11 events to be score on Saturday.
Saturday's final day of action will feature 12 individuals in action for the Tigers as well as the 4x400m relay teams. Action begins at 12:30 p.m. CT with the men's pole vault. Running events for Auburn begin at 2:10 p.m. with Brown and Grant in the men's 60m dash. Kimeli will look to vie for a second SEC title in the 3000m run at 7 p.m.
The meet will air live on SEC Network+ with a tape-delayed broadcast to be televised on the SEC Network, Sunday, February 28 at 7 p.m. CT. Live results for the 2021 SEC Indoor Championships can be found here.
SEC INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
RANDAL TYSON TRACK CENTER
FAYETTEVILLE, AR
FEBRUARY 25-27, 2021
MEN'S RESULTS, DAY 2
Heptathlon
3. Alex Spyridonidis 5712 pts
60m Hurdles 8.50
Pole Vault 5.05m/16-4.75
1000m 2:49.86
T-7. David Edmondson 5211 pts.
60m Hurdles 8.63
Pole Vault 3.85m/12-7.5
1000m 2:46.15
High Jump
2. Dontavious Hill 2.13m/6-11.75
9. TJ Funches 2.03m/6-8
Mile
16. Ryan Kinnane 4:13.49
21. Jack Rogers 4:21.92
60m Hurdles
12. Oquendo Bernard 8.13
60m
Q-Dante Brown 6.62
Q-Christopher Grant 6.74
11. Jason Reese 6.79
13. Jevony Murray 6.82
200m
12. Brandon Smiley 21.13
15. Jason Reese 21.80
Dante Brown DQ
WOMEN'S RESULTS, DAY 1
High Jump
T8. Caroline Lawrence 1.71m/5-7.25
T12. Allison Tanner 1.71m/5-7.25
T15. Kamiya Dendy 1.66m/5-5.25
Pole Vault
-- Lexie Leinneweber NH
Long Jump
14. Imani Jones 5.46m/17-11
Mile
Q-Presley Weems 4:42.37
18. Faith Bett 4:55.94
-- Samantha Rogers DNF
60m
17. Niya Benton-Andrews 7.55
21. Destiny Charles 7.80
5000m
1. Joyce Kimeli 15:46.88
200m
20. Destiny Charles 24.07
-- Niya Benton-Andrews DQ
Joyce Kimeli claims SEC Indoor 5k Championship
