Auburn track and field finishes the Bob Pollock Invitational with a solid weekend.

The Auburn University Track and Field team made a strong statement at the 2025 Bob Pollock Invitational over the weekend, showcasing their impressive talent and depth in both the men’s and women’s competitions. With a series of standout performances across multiple disciplines, Auburn demonstrated that they are well on their way to another successful season in NCAA track and field. Despite facing tough competition from a field of elite athletes, the Tigers showed resilience, skill, and focus, rounding out the weekend with notable results that promise exciting things to come.

Held at Clemson University’s Indoor Track and Field Complex, the Bob Pollock Invitational is one of the premier meets of the indoor season, attracting some of the best collegiate athletes in the country. Auburn’s presence at the event was marked by standout individual performances, impressive team contributions, and a competitive spirit that bodes well for the remainder of the season. The meet served as a critical opportunity for the Tigers to gauge their progress and solidify their training ahead of the SEC Indoor Championships and ultimately, the NCAA Indoor Championships.

Impressive Individual Performances

One of the key highlights of Auburn’s performance at the Bob Pollock Invitational was the standout performances from several athletes who showed that they are in top form as the season progresses. Auburn has traditionally been known for producing high-caliber athletes in the sprints, middle-distance, and field events, and this meet was no exception. From track to field events, Auburn athletes made a statement across the board.

Sprints: The Tigers Continue Their Legacy of Speed

Auburn’s sprint team continued its tradition of excellence at the Bob Pollock Invitational, with multiple athletes putting together strong performances. Rai Benjamin, one of Auburn’s top male sprinters, ran an outstanding race in the 60-meter hurdles, finishing with a competitive time of 7.71 seconds, good for a top-three finish in a stacked field. Benjamin’s performance demonstrated his continued dominance in the sprint hurdles and confirmed that he will be a serious contender at the SEC Championships later in the season.

In the women’s sprints, Makenna Scully continued to impress. The talented sophomore ran a personal best in the 60-meter dash, clocking in at 7.25 seconds. This time not only secured her a top-five finish at the Bob Pollock Invitational but also placed her among the top sprinters in the country in the early part of the season. Scully’s improvement and consistency on the track have made her a crucial member of Auburn’s sprinting contingent, and she will be a key figure as the Tigers move closer to the postseason.

Auburn’s relay teams also showcased their speed and depth. The men’s 4x400m relay team finished the weekend strong, securing a top finish and demonstrating their ability to work together as a cohesive unit. The team’s smooth baton handoffs and strong finishes showed that they are prepared for the challenges of bigger meets as they continue to push for the top spots at the SEC and NCAA level.

Middle Distance: Tigers Show Depth and Versatility

The middle-distance runners were another area where Auburn showed significant promise. Rochelle Johnson, a rising star for Auburn’s women’s team, showed her versatility by taking part in both the 800-meter and 1,000-meter runs. Johnson turned heads with a personal best in the 800-meter, clocking a solid time of 2:04.56, which earned her a top-five finish in a competitive field. Her ability to run well in both the 800-meter and 1,000-meter events underscores her potential to be a key contributor as Auburn pushes forward in the season.

The men’s middle-distance squad, led by Tyler White, also had a solid showing. White’s strong finish in the 800-meter race demonstrated his tactical ability and endurance, as he strategically surged in the final 200 meters to finish with a time of 1:47.92, placing him among the top competitors at the invitational. White’s consistent training and ability to close races strong will serve Auburn well as they continue to compete against some of the best middle-distance talent in the SEC and nationally.

Field Events: A Powerful Showing in the Jumps and Throws

Auburn’s field athletes had a strong showing at the Bob Pollock Invitational as well, with key performances in the jumps and throws that highlighted their depth across multiple disciplines.

In the long jump, Zaria Thomas shone once again, finishing with a mark of 6.65 meters, which placed her among the top finishers in the event. Thomas has consistently been a force in the horizontal jumps, and her performance at the Bob Pollock Invitational confirmed that she is ready for the challenges of the SEC Championships. Her ability to perform in high-pressure situations is a testament to her hard work and commitment to improving her skills.

Auburn also had success in the high jump, with Christian Edwards leaping to a mark of 2.23 meters, earning him a top finish. Edwards’ consistent improvement in the high jump continues to make him one of Auburn’s top athletes in the field events, and his strong showing at the Bob Pollock Invitational put him on the radar for the SEC and NCAA Championships later in the season.

In the throws, Auburn had standout performances from both the men’s and women’s teams. On the men’s side, Caden Kimbell threw a personal best in the weight throw, launching the implement a distance of 20.47 meters to claim a top-three finish. Kimbell’s growth in the throws, coupled with his technical precision, will make him a contender in the upcoming SEC Championships. Similarly, Madison Johnson made her mark in the shot put, finishing in the top four with a throw of 15.73 meters. Johnson’s improvement in the throws will be crucial as Auburn looks to strengthen its position in the field events heading into the later stages of the season.

Team Contributions and Coach’s Perspective

The Bob Pollock Invitational was not just about individual performances but also about Auburn’s overall team cohesion and depth. Coach Ralph Spry has built a strong culture within the Auburn track and field program, emphasizing the importance of each athlete’s contribution to the success of the team. The Tigers’ solid weekend performance was a testament to the development and training that has gone into preparing for the rigors of SEC and national competition.

Coach Spry, in his post-meet interview, emphasized that while the individual performances were impressive, the true success of the weekend was in the way his athletes embraced the team-first mentality. Auburn’s ability to finish strong in the relays, compete at a high level in the field events, and display consistency across multiple disciplines has positioned them as a team to watch in the coming months.

“We’ve got a great group of athletes here, and this weekend was just a small glimpse of what we’re capable of,” Coach Spry said. “We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but it’s great to see everyone stepping up and doing their part. Whether it’s the sprints, middle-distance, or field events, everyone is contributing, and that’s what will make us a strong team as we move into the SECs and NCAA Championships.”

Looking Ahead: Auburn’s Path to SEC and NCAA Championships

With the Bob Pollock Invitational behind them, Auburn is looking ahead to the challenges that lie in the coming weeks. The Tigers will now turn their attention to the SEC Indoor Championships, where they will face stiff competition from the likes of Arkansas, Florida, and Georgia. The SEC is home to some of the best track and field programs in the nation, and Auburn will need to continue their upward trajectory to make an impact at the conference meet.

Beyond the SEC Championships, Auburn has its sights set on the NCAA Indoor Championships in March, where they will compete for national titles in various events. The Bob Pollock Invitational provided a valuable opportunity to gauge their progress and fine-tune their performances ahead of these high-stakes competitions. The Tigers are well-positioned to be strong contenders for both individual and team championships, thanks to the performances from athletes like Cardwell, Broome, Thomas, and others.

Overall, Auburn’s solid performance at the Bob Pollock Invitational has set the tone for the rest of the season. The Tigers’ combination of depth, talent, and team chemistry makes them a formidable force in NCAA track and field, and the program’s future looks bright as they continue their pursuit of excellence.