Liberty University
Sound Running College Invite
Drew, Kandie, Ackley Pace Flames in California
4/2/2021 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Liberty's distance crew performed well at the Sound Running College Invite, Friday night at Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine, Calif. Ryan Drew won the men's 1,500, while Adelyn Ackley (third in women's 5K in 16:32.63) and Felix Kandie (personal-best 14:07.77 in men's 5K) each posted ASUN-leading times at the 5K distance.
Running his first outdoor track race as a Liberty Flame, Drew clocked 1:59.53 over the final 800 to pull out a victory in 3:51.18. Stepping up from his usual 800-meter distance, Kipchirchir came in fifth with a time of 3:54.18.
In her collegiate outdoor track debut, Ackley placed third among the 17-member women's 5K field in an ASUN-leading time of 16:32.63. She and teammate Grace Dwyer (seventh in a lifetime-best 16:45.87) became the sixth and seventh Lady Flames ever to break 17:00 outdoors.
Noel Palmer crossed the line right behind Dwyer in eighth place with her fastest 5K time since 2018, 16:46.34. On her 21st birthday, Anna Hostetler's 17:07.81 effort for 13th place earned her a spot on Liberty's all-time top 10 list. Younger sister Marie Hostetler posted a 17:36.71 for 15th.
Competing in his first outdoor track race since earning All-America honors in the steeplechase in 2019, Kandie slashed 10 seconds off his 5K personal best. His 14:07.77 effort, which was good for 13th place in the race, tops the ASUN list this season and ranks No. 8 all-time for the Flames.
After coaching the Lady Flames' distance runners, Rachel Johnson did some racing of her own. She came in third in the women's 10K in 33:22.19.
Men's Event Winners (1)
Ryan Drew – 1,500 – 3:51.18
Women's Top 3 Finishers
3rd – Adelyn Ackley – 5K – 16:32.63
Updates to Liberty's All-Time Men's Top 10 List
5K – No. 8 – Felix Kandie – 14:07.77
Updates to Liberty's All-Time Women's Top 10 List
5K – No. 4 – Adelyn Ackley – 16:32.63
5K – No. 5 – Grace Dwyer – 16:45.87
5K – No. 9 – Anna Hostetler – 17:07.81
Up Next
The Flames will head to Greensboro, N.C., on April 10 for the Aggie Invitational, the first of two meets Liberty is scheduled to compete in at North Carolina A&T's Irwin Belk Track this season.
