Senior Ty Akins: placed second in the 110 m hurdles during last weekend’s Tiger Track Classic. Akins, from Bainbridge, Ga., is the reigning national champion in the same event. Todd Van Emst/ MEDIA RELATIONS
The Auburn track and field team braved poor weather conditions and gave a strong showing at last weekend’s Tiger Track Classic at Hutsell-Rosen Track. Head coach Ralph Spry said he felt like the Tigers had a good performance, in what he considered to be the season opener.
“The weather was bad at the beginning of the day, but it got better, and it gives us a chance to get tough,” Spry said.
In Friday’s lone event, the hammer throw, senior Jacob Dunkelberger won with a throw of 71.42 m, beating the best mark in the nation.
The men’s team continued to do well Saturday. Senior Ty Akins, the reigning 110 m hurdles national champion, placed second in the 110 m hurdles with a time of 13.47.
Akins also participated in the 4x100 m relay team, which placed second with a time of 40.59. Akins said like he could have performed better in the hurdles.
“My 110 meter race wasn’t the best, but overall I was pleased with my performance today,” Akins said.
Akins is confident about the rest of the season.
“This season is looking good, because right now I’m two steps ahead of where I was last year as a national champion,” Akins said.
Other members of the men’s team that placed in track events were sophomore Felix Kiboiywo, who finished second in the 1500 m with a time of 3:44.65, and sophomore Scott Novak, who placed second in the 3000 m steeplechase with a time of 9:05.99.
The men also excelled in field events. Freshman Zach Clayton won the discus throw with a mark of 54.98 m, and senior Cory Martin won the shot put with a throw of 19.17 m. Spry expects his men’s team to do well for the rest of the season.
“We have a lot of seasoned veterans on the men’s team,” Spry said. “They will have an exciting season.”
The women’s team also had strong performances Saturday. Freshman Joanna Atkins placed first in the 100 m dash with a time of 11.39, and second in the 200 m dash with a time of 23.30.
“I didn’t expect too much today, but I feel good about what I did,” Atkins said. “I definitely plan on improving on my block starts, and hopefully I’ll finish the season at least as an All-American.”
Junior Amelia Anderson also did well in track events. Anderson finished first in the 400 m hurdles with a time of 59.29.
“My start was a little slow, but I still managed to pull through,” Anderson said.
Anderson believes the team will have a good season.
“I feel confident with the team,” Anderson said. “We’re a young team, but if we continue to work hard and get better, I think we’ll do really well in the SEC.”
Atkins and Anderson both participated in the 4x100 m relay team, which finished second with a time of 44.68.
In other track events, the 4x400 m relay team finished first with a time of 3:40.04.
In field events, junior Katalin Mate placed second in the discus with a throw of 48.98 m, and sophomore Valentina Srsa placed second in the hammer throw with a mark of 53.41 m. Spry said he is confident about his young women’s team.
“Our women’s team is fairly young, but we’ll have some upperclassmen lead the way.”
Auburn will take on Alabama Saturday at Yarborough Tennis Center. Matches will begin at noon.
Alabama, ranked No. 75, is coming off a home loss to the No. 3 ranked Florida Gators.
