Strong performance by Auburn at War Eagle Invitational

Strong performance by Auburn at War Eagle Invitational

Auburn, Ala.—The Auburn track and field program concluded its home schedule with a strong group of performances Saturday during the final day of the War Eagle Invitational at Hutsell-Rosen Track. Friday evening saw cold, rainy and windy conditions, while were followed by near perfect conditions on Saturday that saw the Tigers post 20 marks that equaled or surpassed collegiate and personal bests.

Junior Marrel Parker won his first event in an Auburn uniform, taking the men's long jump with a leap of 7.40m/24-3.5. The Auburn, Ala., native recorded his winning leap on his sixth and final attempt. Senior Mark Rubalcaba was third with a jump of 7.31m/23-11.75.

Senior Alex Tucker, competing in his final meet at Hutsell-Rosen Track, posted a PR time of 4:07.57 to grab silver in the men's 1500m. Teammate Jackson Thomas was fifth in 4:11.35.

In the men's 100m, freshman Anthony Schwartz ran a season-best wind legal time of 10.32 to finish second while fellow rookie Shaun Shivers was fifth in 10.44. The duo combined with teammates Jason Reese and Chiason Tenkiang to grab third in the 4x100m relay in a season-best 39.70.

Freshman pole vaulter James Courson cleared a personal-best height of 16-4.75 to finish fourth. Courson's clearance was the best by an Auburn vaulter since 2003 and put him seventh on the AU all-time performance list. Chris Stone tied his career best, clearing 4.90m/16-0.75 for seventh.

On the women's side, junior Natosha Jordan equaled a personal-best 1.76m/5-9.25 for fourth in the women's high jump invitational. Senior Skyler Daniel tied for fifth (1.71m/5-7.25).

Sophomore Tori McKinley was the Tiger women's other top finisher on the day with a fifth place finish in the shot put (16.04m/52-7.5) and a sixth-place in the discus (49.02m/160-10).

During the two-day meet, Auburn collectively tied or established 29 personal or collegiate bests, while five individuals took home gold. Besides Parker's win in the men's long jump, Auburn saw victories on Friday from Kylee Carter (women's javelin), Madi Malone (women's hammer), Joyce Kimeli (women's 3000m steeplechase) and Abbey Zane (women's 5000m).

The War Eagle Invitational also represented the final home meet for 11 seniors: men John Putnam, Mark Rubalcaba, Alex Tucker and Kevin Wyss and Skyler Daniel, Ann Gierow, Mattie McLawhorn, Peyton Montgomery, Ivana Muzaric, Erin Perkins and Danielle Springer on the women's team.

Auburn will sent athletes to two meets next week as the Tigers will be in action at the historic Penn Relays, April 25-27, in Philadelphia, Pa., and the Lawrence Invitational, April 26-27, in Athens, Ga.

WAR EAGLE INVITATIONAL

DAY 2 RESULTS

Men's High Jump

15. Dontavious Hill, 2.05m/6-8.75

Women's Long Jump

15. Sarah Little, 5.47m/17-11.5

26. Cassandra Carlile, 5.10m/16-8.75

Men's Long Jump

1. Marrel Parker, 7.40m/24-3.5

3. Mark Rubalcaba, 7.31m/23-11.75

--. Noah Igbinoghene, FOUL

Women's Shot Put