Two Tigers individual champs at SEC Indoor Championships
Last weekend marked a much-wanted first place finish for Ty Akins, a senior on the Auburn University men’s track and field team. Akins, who was the individual champion at the 60 meter hurdle, was one of two individual champions from the men’s team at the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Ark.
“It felt good, the last couple of years I’ve been coming in second, so it was a relief to have won,” Akins said.
The Auburn men’s team also had an individual champion in the weight throw, taken by Auburn senior Jacob Dunkleberger. Coach Ralph Spry said the two individual champions marked two good highlights of the championships.
Senior Reuben McCoy also finished well, making his way into the finals of the men’s 400 meter.
The SEC Indoor Championships marks the prelude to the national championships, which will also be held in Fayetteville, Ark. The head coach said he thinks the national championships could end well for the Auburn men’s team.
“Our men’s team could possibly be a top-10 team at the national championships,” Spry said.
The men placed eighth overall at the SEC Indoor Championships last weekend.
The women’s team matched the men, with an overall eighth place ending at the SEC championships.
The women’s team had a third place finish in the high jumps with junior Raevan Harris. Even though Harris had a good finish, she said she could have finished better if it weren’t for her chin splint injury. She said she was hoping the leg would be healed before the national championships.
“I think I should definitely be in the top eight (at the national championships) if my leg will hold up,” Harris said. “If I jump really well, at my personal record, I will definitely be in the top three.”
The women’s team also had good performances from freshman Joanna Atkins in the 400 meter and sophomore Valentina Srsa in the weight throws. Both had top-five finishes.
The team is looking forward to the outdoor season.
“We are more of an outdoor team, we will be a lot stronger during the outdoor season,” Spry said.
The outdoor season will start after the national indoor championships take place.
Still, the team is planning on a strong competition at the national indoor championships.
“I feel pretty good coming into it (the national indoor championships),” Akins said. “I take it one race at a time.”
The NCAA Indoor Championships, also hosted in Fayetteville, will be held March 14-15.
