AUBURN, Alabama—Sophomore transfer Favour Ashe recorded the fastest men's 60m time during preliminary rounds and seniors Madi Malone and Kyle Brown each took home bronze in the women's and men's hammer throw to highlight Auburn's efforts at the Southeastern Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships Friday.
Favour Ashe cruised to a 6.54 to easily win his heat and advance to Saturday's final in hopes of an SEC title. Ashe, who was the 2022 SEC Outdoor 100m champion as a freshman at Tennessee posted Auburn's fastest 60m time ever at the conference indoor meet. Ashe's freshman teammate Azeem Fahmi also ran well, as he was third overall in the prelims crossing in 6.66. Saturday's finals in the 60m will start at 4:25 p.m. CT.
Malone, a four-time indoor All-American, capped her SEC Indoor career with her third podium performance after notching a season-best mark of 22.71m/74-6.25 to take home bronze. Teammate Maura Huwalt was fifth (21.88m/71-9.5) while Dani Gregory had a personal-best throw of 19.45m/63-9.75 to take 11th place.
Senior Kyle Brown earned a bronze medal for the second year in a row in the men's weight throw after a career-best toss of 22.24m/72-11.75 on his third of six attempts. Brown became the first Tiger to post back-to-back podium efforts in the event since Jacob Dunkleberger in 2007 and 2008. Junior Kyle Moison had an outstanding effort with a seventh-place finish with a personal record of 20.81m/68-3.25.
The distance medley relay quartet of Rex Green, Luke Roberts, Davis Plowden and Louis O'Loughlin ran the school's fourth fastest time, clocking a 9:41.93 to finish fourth. It marked Auburn's best finish in the event at SEC Indoors since 2009.
Running in his first collegiate 5000m indoors, junior Ryan Kinnane grabbed fourth place in 14:15.24. His time was the Tigers' fastest at SEC Indoors since Ty McCormack broke 14 minutes in 2015.
In the men's heptathlon, junior John Murray and freshman Michael May are in seventh and eighth, respectfully, after four events. With three events remaining on Saturday, Murray has 3,126 points, while May has 3,020 points.
After five of 17 scored events, the Auburn men are tied with Kentucky for fifth place with 18 points, while the women are in eighth with 10.33 points.
Freshman Gene Coetzee qualified for Saturday's women's mile final after running a person-best time of 4:48.02 to finish ninth and earn the final's bid.
Freshman Alyssa Quionones-Mixon placed eighth in the women's pole vault clearing 3.96m/12-11.75.
Saturday's final day will begin with the men's heptathlon at 12 p.m. CT. Field events being at 2:15 p.m. with action on the track starting at 4:05 p.m. with the women's mile. Fans can watch Saturday's meet on SEC Network+. The broadcast will air from 2-3 p.m. and again from 4-7:30 p.m. Live results will also be available at FlashResults.com.
2023 SEC Indoor Championships
Randal Tyson Track Center
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Day 1 Results
Men's Results
Heptathlon
7. John Murray 3126 pts
60m 7.02
Long Jump 6.88m/22-7
Shot Put 14.53m/47-8
High Jump 1.89m/6-2.25
8. Michael May 3020 pts
60m 7.10 **
Long Jump 7.30m/23-11.5 **
Shot Put 12.45m/40-10.25 **
High Jump 1.83m/6-0 **
Pole Vault
T-10. Matthew Asplund 5.05m/16-6.75
Weight Throw
3. Kyle Brown 22.24m/72-11.75 **
7. Kyle Moison 20.81m/68-3.25 **
10. Eric Ebel 19.37m/63-6.75
60m Prelims
1. Favour Ashe 6.54 (Q)
3. Azeem Fahmi 6.66 (Q)
Long Jump
9. Jeremy Zammit 7.74m/25-4.75
18. David Edmondson 7.26m/23-10
5000m
4. Ryan Kinnane 14:15.24 **
12. Carson Bedics 14:26.23
Distance Medley Relay
4. Auburn 9:41.93
Rex Green, Luke Roberts, Davis Plowden, Louis O'Loughlin
Women's Results
Mile Prelims
9. Gene Coetzee 4:48.02 (Q) **
60m Prelims
17. Chante Clinkscale 7.42
400m
21. Arianna Sharpe 54.07
22. Amirah Sharpe 54.29
Long Jump
11. Janaya Jones 5.88m/19-3.5
12. Chantoba Bright 5.83m/19-1.5
13. Essence Thomas 5.81m/19-0.75
Pole Vault
8. Alyssa Quionones-Mixon 3.96m/12-11.75
16. Rhiannon Held 3.81m/12-6
Lexie Leinneweber NH
Weight Throw
3. Madi Malone 22.71m/74-6.25
5. Maura Huwalt 21.88m/71-9.5
11. Dani Gregory 19.45m/63-9.75 **
5000m
17. Hallie Porterfield 17:34.90
200m Prelims
28. Chante Clinkscale 24.04
Pentathlon
Paula Grauvogel DNF
60m Hurdles 8.54
High Jump NH
Elise Heddens DNF
60m Hurdles DNF
(Q) – Qualify for Saturday finals
** – Personal best