ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Auburn sophomore Favour Ashe posted the fastest preliminaries time in the men's 60m dash and weight throwers Kyle Brown and Madi Malone each earned All-America honors to highlight the Tigers' performance at the first day of the 2023 NCAA Indoor Championships at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
Ashe equalled a personal-best time of 6.51 to win his heat and automatically qualify for Saturday's finals. The sophomore transfer also ran a 6.51 and the fastest prelims time a year ago at the NCAA Indoors before eventually finishing third. Auburn's last national title in the shortest event was in 1997 when Bryan Howard won the 55m dash. Ashe, who will race in the finals Saturday at 8:10 p.m. CT will look for the Auburn men's first indoor individual crown since Donald Thomas won the high jump in 2007.
Malone kick started the action for the Tigers on Friday as the Wichita, Kansas, native finished eighth in the women's weight throw with a toss of 22.45m/73-8. It was her fifth All-America honor indoor and seventh overall. The most decorated women's weight thrower in Auburn school history scored for the fourth time at indoor nationals equalling two previous eighth place and one fifth place finish.
Making his first NCAA Indoor Championship appearance, Brown followed suit in the ring in the men's weight throw. On his first attempt of the competition, the Cummings, Georgia, native threw a new personal-best of 22.44m/73-7.50 to secure sixth place and three points for Auburn.
With a top-eight finish, Malone and Brown also earn USTFCCCA All-American status for the fifth and first time in their indoor careers, respectfully.
Auburn senior Alex Spyridonidis who qualified for fourth indoor championships in the heptathlon was unable to compete on Friday and was a sratch.
UP NEXT
The second and final day of NCAA competition begins tomorrow with senior Dontavious Hill in the men's high jump at 2 p.m. CT. Concluding the day will be Ashe in the men's 60m dash final at 8:10 p.m. CT.
NCAA Indoors
Albuquerque Convention Center
Albuquerque, N.M.
March 10, 2023
MEN'S 60m DASH PRELIM
1. Favour Ashe 6.51 Q
WOMEN'S WEIGHT THROW
8. Madi Malone 22.45m/73-8
MEN'S WEIGHT THROW
6. Kyle Brown 22.44m/73-7.50*