Nathon Allen and Jonielle Smith ran personal best times and will be joined in their respective finals by Akeem Bloomfield, Odean Skeen and Rhaeem Chambers on Satuday’s final day of the Southeastern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Sheila & Morris Cregger Track, University of South Carolina – Columbia.
Freshman duo Allen and Bloomfield are into the final of the men’s 400m for Auburn Tigers.
Allen ran a personal 45.25, which ranks sixth in Auburn history and Bloomfield matched his Auburn best with a 45.47.
Fred Kerley of Texas A&M is the overwhelming favourite for the final as he will enter with 44.09secs. This mark is a new SEC meet record and just show of the collegiate record of 44 flat.
Skeen and Chambers posted qualifying marks in the 100 meters. Skeen led the way with a 10.08 as the third fastest qualifying time, while Chambers ran a personal best 10.24 for the sixth fastest time.
Christian Coleman of Tennessee is the fastest qualifier with 10.03 ahead of LSU’s Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, 10.08.
Jonielle Smith ran a personal best 11.13 in the women’s 100m for the second fastest qualifying mark.
“Overall, we had another solid day as a team,” Auburn head coach Ralph Spry said. “We had some very strong performances in the night session, especially with our sprinters. We left some points on the table today, but this is a tough meet and we are going to have to bounce back and battle tomorrow.”
Clayton Brown of Florida took silver in the men’s high jump with 2.19m, behind event winner Keenon Laine of Georgia with 2.25m.
