Liberty University
Dr. Jack M. Toms Alumni Invitational
Freshmen Account for 5 of Liberty's 8 Victories on Saturday
3/27/2021 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Liberty posted eight event victories at the Dr. Jack M. Toms Alumni Invitational on Saturday. Freshmen accounted for five first-place finishes, with Anthony Bryan, Nimeesha Coleman, Luke Lombardi, Megan Mann and Anna Worth all claiming wins.
Lane Hluch, Itzel Santos and Jacob Strickler were also victorious on a day which saw competition halted early due to an afternoon thunderstorm.
Bryan was Liberty's busiest athlete on Saturday and arguably the Flames' most successful as well. In addition to winning the men's 110 hurdles (14.69), he placed second to classmate Lombardi in the pole vault (both cleared 14-5.25) and came in second (first collegiate finisher) in the high jump (5-10). Bryan added a fifth-place discus finish (114-5) for good measure.
Even with some of the Flames' top throwers competing in the Texas Relays this weekend, the Liberty throws crew was still able to win four events in the Hill City. Mann (43-9.75), javelin champion Jamie Gray (42-6.25) and Kali Grayson (40-11.5) placed 1-2-3 in the women's shot put. Mann's mark ranks ninth in program history.
Lady Flames were the top four collegiate finishers in the women's hammer, as Grace Artis (166-3), Mann (158-0), Annika Hantho (155-4) and Sofia Mojica (138-2) finished 2-3-4-5 overall in the event.
In the men's throws, Hluch (season-best 180-1) and Sam Mastro (177-5) swept the hammer throw's top two places, while Strickler's 48-2 effort won the shot put title.
Santos (2:18.30) became the third different Lady Flame to win a women's 800 title in as many weeks, following victories by today's third-place finisher Heidi Tillman (2:20.40) and Kristiana Young.
Freshmen Coleman (1:04.34 in the women's 400 hurdles) and Worth (5-3 in the women's high jump) each recorded the first victory of their collegiate career.
Marisa Bermudez (second in women's pole vault) and Adrianna Mitchell (third in women's triple jump) were the top collegiate finisher in their respective events. The only athlete to defeat Bermudez (personal-best 11-5.25) was future teammate Emory Pafford, currently a senior at Liberty Christian Academy.
Women's Event Winners (4)
Nimeesha Coleman – 400 Hurdles – 1:04.34
Megan Mann – Shot Put – 43-9.75
Itzel Santos – 800 – 2:18.30
Anna Worth – High Jump – 5-3
Men's Event Winners (4)
Anthony Bryan – 110 Hurdles – 14.69
Lane Hluch – Hammer – 180-1
Luke Lombardi – Pole Vault – 14-5.25
Jacob Strickler – Shot Put – 48-2
Other Women's Top 3 Finishers
2nd – Grace Artis – Hammer – 166-3 (1st collegiate)
2nd – Marisa Bermudez – Pole Vault – 11-5.25 (1st collegiate)
2nd – Jamie Gray – Shot Put – 42-6.25
3rd – Emma Arblaster – High Jump – 5-1
3rd – Kali Grayson – Shot Put – 40-11.5
3rd – Megan Mann – Hammer – 158-0
3rd – Adrianna Mitchell – Triple Jump – 38-11 (1st collegiate)
3rd – Joelle Patton – 100 – 12.69
3rd – Heidi Tillman – 800 – 2:20.40
Tie for 3rd – Amani Hankton – 100 Hurdles – 15.84
Other Men's Top 3 Finishers
2nd – Anthony Bryan – High Jump – 5-10 (1st collegiate)
2nd – Anthony Bryan – Pole Vault – 14-5.25
2nd – Sam Mastro – Hammer – 177-5
Updates to Liberty's All-Time Women's Top 10 List
Shot Put – No. 9 – Megan Mann – 43-9.75
Up Next
Liberty will split up its team for the second straight weekend. A majority of the Flames and Lady Flames will compete in the VertKlasse Meeting, Thursday and Friday in High Point, N.C. Meanwhile, some of the team's top distance runners will open their outdoor season on Friday at the Sound Running College Invite in Irvine, Calif.
