JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—Auburn seniors Malik Metivier and Eric Brown each qualified for their first NCAA Outdoor Championships during Day 3 of the NCAA East Preliminaries at the University of North Florida Friday.
Metivier won his heat in the 400m hurdles in 49.86 to automatically qualify, while finishing third overall. Brown had a strong kick over the last 150 meters to finish second in his heat of the 800m to earn a berth to Eugene. Brown finished in 1:48.88 and ninth overall.
Auburn now has nine qualifiers for nationals, including five men and four women, with one day remaining in Jacksonville. The five men include: Cade Antonucci (Javelin), Brown (800m), Nils Fischer (Javelin), Metivier (400m Hurdles) and Alex Spyridonidis (Decathlon). Ashley Carter (Javelin), Kylee Carter (Javelin), Natosha Jordan (Heptathlon) and Madi Malone (Hammer Throw) are the four on the women's side.
Saturday's final day will feature eight women competing for the Tigers, including six in the field events and two in running events. Action will start for Auburn at 1 p.m. ET with Kamiya Dendy, Caroline Lawrence, Natosha Jordan and Zatoria Thompson in the high jump. At 1:30 p.m. ET, Jocelynn Budwig and Maura Huwalt will compete in the discus throw.
Auburn's first competitor in the running events is Presley Weems in the 1500m at 5:45 p.m. ET. National Champion Joyce Kimeli will run in the 3000m Steeplechase at 6:10 p.m. ET followed by the 5000m at 8:30 p.m. ET
2022 NCAA EAST PRELIMINARIES
HODGES STADIUM
JACKSONVILLE, FLA
MAY 25-29, 2021
DAY 3 RESULTS
Men' High Jump
T-21. Dontavious Hill, 2.11m/6-11
T-41. TJ Funches, 2.06m/6-9
-- David Edmondson, NH
Men's 4x100m Relay
15. Auburn, 39.73 (season best time)
(Jason Reese, Jevony Murray, Brandon Smiley, Christopher Grant)
Men's 800m
9. Eric Brown, 1:48.88 (qualifier)
Men's 400m Hurdles
3. Malik Metivier, 49.86 (qualifier)
Men's 200m
23. Brandon Smiley, 21.23
SATURDAY, MAY 29 (All times ET)
1:00 pm—Women's High Jump (Kamiya Dendy, Caroline Lawrence, Natosha Jordan, Zatoria Thompson)
1:30 pm—Women's Discus (Jocelynn Budwig, Maura Huwalt)
5:45 pm—Women's 1500m (Presley Weems)
6:10 pm—Women's 3000m Steeplechase (Joyce Kimeli)
8:30 pm—Women's 5000m (Joyce Kimeli)