CLEMSON, South Carolina—Junior Simone Johnson established a new lifetime best in the triple jump with a mark of 13.46m/44-2 good for seventh nationally to highlight Auburn's efforts on the final day of the Tiger Paw Invitational in Clemson, South Carolina on Saturday.
Johnson posted the career-best jump on her second of six jumps during the women's invitational triple jump to take the silver medal. The Fresno, California native's mark equaled the fourth-best mark in program history, joining Marshay Ryan's 13.46m in 2017. Senior Amy Warren also had a career day, winning the women's triple jump with a personal best leap of 13.04m/42-9.5, good for the No. 22 mark nationally in the event.
The quartet of Vimbayi Maisvorewa, Abasiono Akpan, Ashantae Harvey, and Deborah Oke ran 3:35.23 in the women's 4x400m relay, the ninth fastest time in Auburn history, to take eighth in the event.
Sophomore Megan Hague also won silver in the women's shot put with a huge throw of 15.70m/51-6.25 on her sixth and final attempt, well over a foot longer than her previous lifetime best. The mark moved her from eighth to fifth on the school's all-timer performer list. Teammate Marley Raikwasa was fifth with a mark of 15.26m/50-0.75.
On the men's side, junior Makanakaishe Chara was fourth in the 200m dash in 20.78, while Matthew Rueff was third in the shot put with a toss of 18.00m/59-0.75.
In Nashville at the Music City Challenge on the campus of Vanderbilt University, the Tigers distance unit established seven indoor personal bests out of eight individual runs during the second day of competition.
Senior Hannah Tarwater posted a 9:44.95 in the women's seeded 3000m race, for a new PR, while in the unseeded women's 3000m, Hannah Thuss, Shelby Balding, Samantha Rogers and Ava McIntosh all recorded new collegiate bests in the event.
On the men's side, freshman Evan Hill (8:13.43) and sophomore Benson Atkins (8:28.18) both notched new collegiate PRs in the indoor 3000m.
All told during the two days of competition in Clemson and Nashville, Auburn established 23 new personal bests, while Camila Gomes, in her Tigers' debut, broke the school freshman indoor record in the women's mile with a time of 4:38.18.
Next up for the Tigers will be the Southeastern Conference Indoor Championships, February 23-24 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Clemson Tiger Paw Invite – Day 2
Clemson Indoor Track and Field Complex – Clemson, South Carolina
February 10, 2024
Women't Shot Put
2. Megan Hague 15.70m/51-6.25 PR
5. Marley Raikwasa 15.26m/50-0.75
20. Paula Grauvogel 11.01m/36-1.5 PR
21. Elise Heddens 10.19m/33-5.25
Women's High Jump
Elise Heddens NH
Paula Grauvogel NH
Women's High Jump Invite
7. Sanaa Barnes 1.80m/5-10.75
Women's 200m
25. Chante Clinkscale 23.74
Women's Triple Jump
1. Amy Warren 13.04m/42-9.5 PR
Women's Triple Jump Invite
2. Simone Johnson 13.46m/44-2 PR
Women's 4x400m Relay
8. Auburn 3:35.23
Vimbayi Maisvorewa, Abasiono Akpan, Ashantae Harvey, Deborah Oke
Men's 200m
4. Makanakaishe Chara 20.78
11. Dario Matau 21.09
65. Charlie Sexton 22.52
Men's Shot Put
3. Matthew Rueff 18.00m/59-0.75
15. Grant Griffin 16.05m/52-8
Men's High Jump
18. Matthew Cless 2.00m/6-6.75
T20. Kayden Slay 2.00m/6-6.75
Justin Stuckey NH
Music City Challenge – Day 2
Vanderbilt Recreation Center – Nashville, Tennessee
February 10, 2024
Women's 3000m
17. Hannah Thuss 10:00.18 PR
19. Shelby Balding 10:00.30 PR
22. Samatha Rogers 10:06.19 PR
36. Audrey Dunn 10:19.66
39. Ava McIntosh 10:21.91 PR
Women's 3000m – Seeded
20. Hannah Tarwater 9:44.95 PR
Men's 3000m – Seeded
14. Carson Bedics 8:13.25
15. Evan Hill 8:13.43 PR
Men's 3000m
23. Benson Atkins 8:28.18 PR
25. Fuji Anday 8:29.05
28. Hayden Judge 8:32.04
48. Ethan Snyder 8:51.11
Men's 800m
11. Davis Plowden 1:52.39
Men's 800m – Seeded
Louis O'Loughlin DNF
Simone Johnson posts nation’s No. 7 triple jump mark
