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Auburn Track & Field Closes Out Strong Weekend at 44 Farms Team Invitational
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — April 13, 2025
Auburn’s track and field program wrapped up a strong showing at the 44 Farms Team Invitational hosted by Texas A&M this weekend, delivering personal bests, top-three finishes, and signs of a program building serious momentum as outdoor season heats up.
Competing at E.B. Cushing Stadium, the Tigers faced elite programs from across the Southeastern Conference and beyond, including Texas A&M, Florida, LSU, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. But the orange and blue held their own—and then some—closing the weekend with an impressive slate of performances that showed Auburn’s depth, talent, and development.
Dominance in the Distance
One of the brightest spots for the Tigers came in the distance events. Sophomore standout Olivia Cleveland continued her breakout campaign with a dominant run in the women’s 1500 meters. Clocking in at 4:21.87, Cleveland shattered her personal best by over four seconds and finished second overall behind Arkansas’s veteran, Sarah Vaughn.
“I’ve been feeling strong all season,” Cleveland said after her race. “Coach [Damon Martin] and I have been working on my closing speed, and I finally felt that kick in the last 200.”
On the men’s side, Luke Larkin, a redshirt junior from Birmingham, posted a huge lifetime best in the 5000 meters, crossing the line in 13:58.14—a sub-14 barrier he’s been chasing since his freshman year. The mark not only placed him third in a deep field but also moved him into fifth on Auburn’s all-time list in the event.
“It means everything,” Larkin said. “To wear this uniform and hit that mark—it’s been a long time coming.”
Sprints and Hurdles: A New Era
In the sprints, freshman phenom Malachi Ross stole the spotlight with a blistering performance in the men’s 200 meters. Ross, a Georgia native, clocked a wind-legal 20.31 to take first place, beating out a field that included multiple All-Americans. The time is the second-fastest in program history and currently ranks top-five nationally this season.
“I’ve been dreaming about this moment,” said Ross, who also ran the anchor leg of the 4×100-meter relay. “I’m just thankful to God, my coaches, and my teammates for believing in me.”
The men’s 4×100-meter relay team—featuring Ross, Darius Sims, Caleb Jordan, and Xavier Pettis—finished third overall with a time of 38.94, one of the fastest relay times in the country this year and a clear sign that Auburn’s sprint program is emerging as an SEC force.
On the women’s side, senior hurdler Tori Chandler ran a season-best 12.88 in the 100m hurdles to secure third place and crack the top-10 national leaderboard.
Tigers Flying High in the Field
Auburn’s field athletes showed up in a big way in College Station, particularly in the jumps.
All-American high jumper Jasmine Powell cleared 1.86m (6-1.25) to take second place in a loaded field, narrowly missing her personal best. Powell has now cleared 1.85m or better in four consecutive meets—an early sign that she’ll be in contention for a podium finish at SECs and NCAAs.
“I’m just trying to stay consistent,” Powell said. “I know the big bar is coming.”
Sophomore pole vaulter Marcus Ellis posted a new personal best of 5.51m (18-1), taking third overall and joining the elite 18-foot club. The vault also moves Ellis to No. 3 all-time in program history.
In the horizontal jumps, junior Ariana Holmes leapt to a career-best 6.34m (20-9.75) in the long jump, placing fourth in a competitive field. Meanwhile, Darius Sims returned to the triple jump pit and delivered a clutch 16.12m (52-10.75) mark to finish second.
Throws Crew Making Waves
Auburn’s throwers continued their upward trajectory this season with a series of strong performances. Senior thrower Dakota Freeman took second place in the men’s discus with a personal-best 61.13m (200-7), becoming just the second Auburn athlete in school history to break the 200-foot barrier in the event.
“This one means a lot,” Freeman said. “Coach [Carla Garrett] has been pushing me all season to trust my form and technique, and it’s finally paying off.”
On the women’s side, freshman Janelle Ross placed third in the shot put with a mark of 17.12m (56-2), continuing a stellar debut season for the newcomer out of California.
“She’s a future star,” Coach Garrett said. “She’s tough, smart, and already competing like a veteran.”
A Team Trending Up
Auburn’s head coach Leroy Burrell—in his third season at the helm—praised his team’s competitiveness, resilience, and progress following the invitational.
“We came in here knowing it was going to be a battle,” Burrell said. “This meet is a great preview of SECs, and I thought we rose to the occasion. From sprints to throws to distance, I saw Tigers fighting every step of the way.”
Burrell, a former Olympian and NCAA champion himself, has emphasized a culture of consistency, confidence, and development since taking over the program in 2022. With each meet, the Tigers seem to be buying in more and more.
“There’s a different energy in this group,” Burrell said. “They believe they can compete with anyone in the country.”
Notable Auburn Results – 44 Farms Team Invitational
Men’s 200 Meters
- Malachi Ross – 20.31 (PR)
- Xavier Pettis – 20.76
Women’s 1500 Meters
2. Olivia Cleveland – 4:21.87 (PR)
Men’s 5000 Meters
3. Luke Larkin – 13:58.14 (PR)
Men’s 4x100m Relay
3. Auburn – 38.94 (Ross, Sims, Jordan, Pettis)
Women’s 100m Hurdles
3. Tori Chandler – 12.88 (SB)
Women’s High Jump
2. Jasmine Powell – 1.86m
Men’s Pole Vault
3. Marcus Ellis – 5.51m (PR)
Women’s Long Jump
4. Ariana Holmes – 6.34m (PR)
Men’s Triple Jump
2. Darius Sims – 16.12m
Men’s Discus
2. Dakota Freeman – 61.13m (PR)
Women’s Shot Put
3. Janelle Ross – 17.12m
Looking Ahead
With the 44 Farms Team Invitational now behind them, Auburn will turn its focus to next weekend’s Tom Jones Memorial Invitational in Gainesville, Florida—another high-level meet featuring SEC and national powerhouses.
Coach Burrell believes the upcoming stretch will be critical for postseason positioning.
“We’re getting into the heart of the season now,” Burrell said. “We’ve got a few more opportunities to lock in regional marks and sharpen our execution. I like where we are.”
If this weekend was any indication, Auburn is ready to contend not just at the SEC Championships in May—but potentially on the national stage at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon this June.
“This team is hungry,” Ross said. “We’re not just here to participate. We’re here to make history.”
Tigers on the Rise
As Auburn continues to develop its identity under Burrell’s leadership, there’s growing excitement around what this team could achieve in 2025 and beyond. With elite freshman talent like Ross, rising stars in every event group, and a deep coaching staff, the Tigers are laying the groundwork for something special.
“The culture’s changing,” Powell said. “We’re holding each other accountable. We’re pushing for excellence every day.”
And if this weekend in College Station was any clue, that push might just take them all the way to the top.
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