Liberty University
VertKlasse Meeting
Liberty Distance Crew Stands Out at VertKlasse
4/1/2016 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Despite gusty winds at Vert Stadium, Liberty's mid-distance and distance runners notched a trio of top-five finishes and numerous personal bests at the VertKlasse Meeting on Friday.
Men's Day One Recap
Freshman James Zentmeyer was the Flames' top individual finisher on the day, placing second in the men's 5K with a personal-best time of 14:48.93. Zentmeyer overtook High Point standout Paddy Grandinali for the runner-up spot with a 64.69-second final lap.
Teammates Jeremie Bourget (sixth place, 14:54.75), Azaria Kirwa (12th, 15:12.31) and Sam Hibbs (16th, 15:26.21) also placed inside the top 25 percent among the 72 entrants in the men's 5K.
Josh Showalter clocked 9:36.56 for fifth place in the steeplechase, while Louis Paone's personal-best time of 9:54.12 was good for 10th.
The sophomore duo of Cameron Francis (13th place, 4:00.99) and Luke Jelen (18th, 4:04.39) paced the Flames in the men's 1,500. Jacob Onifer (33rd, 4:09.31) and Jeremy Miekley (35th, 4:09.50) also placed well as part of a 99-member field.
Robert Detz (48-11.75) and David Scouten (48-11.5) each recorded season-best throws in the men's shot put, finishing 12th and 13th, respectively.
Lewis Williams' 13-8.25 pole vault clearance earned an 11th-place finish in Section B of the event.
Women's Day One Recap
Freshman Lacie Robinson made a promising 10K debut under the lights, placing fourth in 38:10.62. She crossed the finish line just four seconds behind High Point's Julia Zautcke, the third-place finisher in this year's Big South indoor 5K final.
Classmate Aryn Embretson, also running the 10K distance for the first time, came in seventh with a time of 39:12.09.
Hannah Scherlacher (sixth place of 94 entrants, 4:38.92) and Alyssa Karle (22nd, 4:51.95) both sliced considerable time off of their previous best 1,500-meter times. Scherlacher improved her personal best by more than five seconds, while Karle lopped more than 14 seconds off of her time.
Kylie Polsgrove placed fourth in Section B of the women's high jump with her 5-3 clearance.
Dasiana Larson threw the shot put 41-10 for 11th place, while Holly Arey's season-best shot put mark of 39-5 placed her 20th.
The VertKlasse Meeting will resume at 9 a.m. Saturday morning, with Scouten throwing the men's hammer for the Flames.
Meanwhile, the Texas Relays will wrap up on Saturday, with Mychelle Cumings getting Liberty's day started in Section B of the women's discus at 11 a.m. Eastern.
