Liberty University
Liberty Kickoff
Host Flames Rack Up 13 Wins on Liberty Kickoff Day 2
12/3/2021 4:30:26 PM | Track and Field
The host team collected 13 event victories on Friday at the Liberty Kickoff, wrapping up the two-day meet at the Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex with 17 total first-place finishes.
Diamantae Griffin provided arguably the performance of the day, winning the highly-anticipated men’s 300 in 33.79, just ahead of former Flame and Olympian Alejandro Perlaza Zapata (33.87). Griffin’s time ranks No. 3 in program history, as Willie Parker’s program record of 33.40 from 1987 lives to see another day.
Naomi Armstrong also claimed the No. 3 spot on Liberty’s all-time list in her own race, the women’s 1,000. Dominating from the get-go, Armstrong slashed four seconds off her previous best to win in 2:52.37.
Anthony Bryan was the final Liberty event winner to join a program top 10 list (at No. 10), thanks to his winning heptathlon score of 4,961. Bryan won the heptathlon 60 hurdles (8.36) and pole vault (14-2.75) before holding off hard-charging teammate Zach Wendt (competing unattached) for a 15-point win in the final heptathlon standings.
All-American Kyle Mitchell began his final indoor season in strong fashion, claiming the men’s shot put title by more than three feet with a 60-10.75 put. Megan Mann matched her personal best in the women’s shot put (44-1.5), giving Liberty a sweep of the four throwing event titles at this meet.
Liberty women’s newcomers won a pair of events on Friday, including grad transfer Annamarie McKenzie’s title in the 500 (1:17.90) and freshman Kacy Cox’s high jump triumph (5-2.5).
The Lady Flames’ other victories came in the 400 (Nimeesha Coleman – 58.49) and 800 (Adelyn Ackley – 2:18.75 in her debut in the event).
On the men’s side, Felix Lawrence was victorious in the 60 hurdles while field eventers Anders Janes (pole vault – 15-1), Jeremiah McCants (triple jump – 47-4.5) and Gabriel Willis (high jump – 6-10.75) each took top honors.
Another event of note was the women’s 300. Isis Brooks, who is out of indoor eligibility but will join the Lady Flames for the outdoor season, took the title in 39.18. Only one Lady Flame has ever run faster for the 300. Meanwhile, first-year Lady Flame Zakiya Tavernier took seventh in the race in 42.02 and now ranks No. 10 all-time for Liberty.
For the second day in a row, Liberty freshmen excelled while competing unattached in the men’s mid-distance races. Rookies Brendan Pitcher (2:29.48) and Isaiah Schulties (2:29.70) went 1-2 in the 1,000, following Will Jefferson’s mile victory on Thursday.
After her ASUN-record 16:12.91 5K performance Thursday evening, All-American Calli Doan led off in 58.63 for the Lady Flames’ fastest 4 x 400 relay quartet on Friday. Her squad, which also included Marie Hostetler, Kyley Sorg and Anna Hostetler, came in third in 4:04.47.
Women’s Day 2 Event Winners (6)
Adelyn Ackley – 800 – 2:18.75
Naomi Armstrong – 1,000 – 2:52.37
Nimeesha Coleman – 400 – 58.49
Kacy Cox – High Jump – 5-2.5
Megan Mann – Shot Put – 44-1.5
Annamarie McKenzie – 500 – 1:17.90
Men’s Day 2 Event Winners (7)
Anthony Bryan – Heptathlon – 4,961
Diamantae Griffin – 300 – 33.79
Anders Janes – Pole Vault – 15-1
Felix Lawrence – 60 Hurdles – 8.13
Jeremiah McCants – Triple Jump – 47-4.5
Kyle Mitchell – Shot Put – 60-10.75
Gabriel Willis – High Jump – 6-10.75
Updates to Liberty’s All-Time Women’s Top 10 List
1,000 – No. 3 – Naomi Armstrong – 2:52.37
300 – No. 10 – Zakiya Tavernier – 42.02
Updates to Liberty’s All-Time Men’s Top 10 List
300 – No. 3 – Diamantae Griffin – 33.79
Heptathlon – No. 10 – Anthony Bryan – 4,961
Up Next
After more than a month away from competition, Liberty will be back in action on Jan. 14-15 at the Virginia Tech Invitational at Rector Field House in Blacksburg, Va.
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