Liberty University
Texas Relays
Mitchell Claims Texas Relays Shot Put Title with Program-Record 61-11.5
3/27/2021 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Kyle Mitchell wrapped up Liberty's stay at the 93rd Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays in style, Saturday at Mike A. Myers Stadium. He won Section A of the men's shot put with a program-record 61-11.5 effort.
A junior from Kingston, Jamaica, Mitchell had set the previous school record of 61-4.25 at the NACAC U23 Championships on July 6, 2019. He took the lead for good on Saturday with his record-breaking 61-11.5 put in round two and added a 61-7.5 mark on his next attempt for good measure.
Behind Mitchell, teammates Jose Ballivian (60-8) and Warren Barrett (season-best 60-6.5) placed fourth and fifth, respectively. Barrett's effort moves him up to fourth place in program history, trailing only Mitchell, Ballivian and Coach Clendon Henderson.
One day after setting a program record of his own with a 10.19 clocking in the 100, Diamantae Griffin posted a 200 personal-best time of 20.88 for seventh place in the final. He now ranks No. 4 all-time for the Flames in the half-lap event.
Also posting a seventh-place finish on the track was the Lady Flames' 4 x 100 relay quartet of Abby Pantlitz, Ty'Asia Dansbury, Alexis Rolan and Nikayla Hoyte. Their time was a season-best 46.13.
Ballivian's first of two top-five finishes on the day came in Section B of the men's discus. His season-best mark of 174-4 was good for fifth in the event.
Makenzy Mizera got Liberty's day started with an eighth-place showing in Section B of the women's triple jump, thanks to a season-best 40-9.5 leap.
Men's Event Winners (1)
Kyle Mitchell – Shot Put – 61-11.5 (Section A)
Men's Record Breakers
Program Record – Shot Put – Kyle Mitchell – 61-11.5
Previous Record: 61-4.25 by Mitchell at the 2019 NACAC U23 Meet (July 6, 2019)
Updates to Liberty's All-Time Men's Top 10 List
Shot Put – No. 1 – Kyle Mitchell – 61-11.5
Shot Put – No. 4 – Warren Barrett – 60-6.5
200 – No. 4 – Diamantae Griffin – 20.88
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.
