Liberty University
Virginia Tech Invitational
Drew Clocks ASUN-Record 4:04.71 to Win VT Invite Mile
1/14/2022 10:05:07 PM | Track and Field
Ryan Drew stole the show for Liberty on day one of the Virginia Tech Invitational, Friday evening inside Rector Field House. He won the men’s mile in a time of 4:04.71 which shattered the ASUN Conference all-time record for the event.
The 2020 ASUN men’s mile champion, Drew entered Friday’s race with a personal best of 4:08.21. Meanwhile, the ASUN record had stood at 4:07.53 since North Florida’s Tyler Stahl clocked that time at the 2017 Samford Friday Invite.
4:04.71 was the fastest mile time by a Flame in 11 years, as Drew now ranks No. 3 in program history behind two NCAA national champions—Josh McDougal (4:01.63 in 2006) and Sam Chelanga (4:03.84 in 2011).
Drew was Liberty’s lone event champion on the day, but his girlfriend (Grace Dwyer) won the women’s mile in 5:03.91 competing unattached, as she has exhausted her indoor eligibility. Three teammates followed her inside the top five, including Marie Hostetler (second, 5:07.94), Noel Palmer (third, 5:08.49) and Jamie Anderson (fifth, 5:11.02).
Liberty’s distance crew set the tone for a successful day with strong performances in the women’s 3K (Anna Hostetler – fourth in 9:46.68) and men’s 3K (Will Jefferson – fourth in 8:14.28). Jefferson’s Liberty debut ranks him No. 8 all-time for the Flames.
On the straightaway, first-year Flame Brandon Letts came in third in the men’s 60 final (6.75) after recording the No. 3 time in program history (6.74) during the prelims.
A few minutes later, Felix Lawrence placed sixth in the men’s 60 hurdles final (8.15). He had earlier matched his season best of 8.09 in the prelims.
A pair of Liberty sprinters joined the Flames’ all-time top 10 for the 300-meter dash, including Janai Scott (No. 3 woman, 39.91) and Michael Rose (No. 10 man, 35.22).
Grace Artis matched her lifetime best (originally set in 2019) with a 58-5.75 weight throw, good for sixth place in the competition and No. 8 in Liberty annals.
The final Flame to compete Friday night, Anders Janes made it over a season-best 15-5 to take the runner-up spot in the unseeded section of the men’s pole vault.
Men’s Day 1 Event Winners (1)
Ryan Drew – Mile – 4:04.71
Women’s Top 3 Finishers
2nd – Marie Hostetler – Mile – 5:07.94 (1st collegiate finisher)
3rd – Noel Palmer – Mile – 5:08.49
Other Men’s Top 3 Finishers
2nd – Anders Janes – Unseeded Pole Vault – 15-5
3rd – Brandon Letts – 60 – 6.75
Men’s Record Breakers
ASUN Record – Mile – Ryan Drew – 4:04.71
Old Record: 4:07.53 by North Florida’s Tyler Stahl in 2017
Updates to Liberty’s All-Time Women’s Top 10 List
300 – No. 3 – Janai Scott – 39.91
Weight Throw – No. 8 – Grace Artis – 58-5.75
Updates to Liberty’s All-Time Men’s Top 10 List
60 – No. 3 – Brandon Letts – 6.74
Mile – No. 3 – Ryan Drew – 4:04.71
3K – No. 8 – Will Jefferson – 8:14.28
300 – No. 10 – Michael Rose – 35.22
Up Next
The Virginia Tech Invitational will conclude on Saturday. Three different events will get the day started at 11 a.m., including the women’s high jump, women’s long jump and seeded women’s pole vault.
