Liberty University
Virginia Tech Invitational
Sauder Makes Dazzling Debut with Record-Tying 7-1.5 High Jump
1/15/2022 3:56:25 PM | Track and Field
Competing in a Liberty uniform for the first time, Saturday at the Virginia Tech Invitational, freshman Kennedy Sauder made an outstanding first impression. He won the men’s high jump with a 7-1.5 clearance that tied the program record.
Sauder, who ranked No. 3 nationally among high schoolers last season with a 7-1.75 clearance as a senior at Calvary Christian Academy, was successful on the first three attempts of his collegiate career (6-8.75, 6-10.75 and 7-0.25). Sauder then won the competition with a third-attempt make at 7-1.5 before wrapping up his afternoon with a trio of misses at 7-3.
Sauder tied the program record held by James Wilson (Feb. 20, 1988) and Anthony Bryant (Feb. 7, 2009), while matching Bryant’s Liberty freshman record. The mark ranks No. 5 all-time in ASUN Conference history and would have qualified for the NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships a year ago.
The Flames also posted a pair of top-five finishes in the men’s 200, thanks to Christian Lyon (third, 21.65) and Brandon Letts (fifth, 22.01). Letts followed up on his third-place showing from Friday evening’s men’s 60 final.
Nimeesha Coleman was the Lady Flames’ top finisher on day two inside Rector Field House, winning her heat and taking fifth overall in the women’s 400 (58.55).
Taylen Langin cleared a season-best 12-11 to take eighth place in a loaded women’s pole vault competition.
Men’s Day 2 Event Winners (1)
Kennedy Sauder – High Jump – 7-1.5
Other Men’s Top 3 Finishers
3rd – Christian Lyon – 200 – 21.65
Men’s Record Breakers
Liberty Record – High Jump – Kennedy Sauder – 7-1.5
Shared Record: 7-1.5 by James Wilson on Feb. 20, 1988 and Anthony Bryant on Feb. 7, 2009
Liberty Freshman Record – High Jump – Kennedy Sauder – 7-1.5
Shared Record: 7-1.5 by Anthony Bryant on Feb. 7, 2009
Updates to Liberty’s All-Time Men’s Top 10 List
High Jump – Tie for No. 1 – Kennedy Sauder – 7-1.5
Up Next
The Flames will return home for the second annual Brant Tolsma Invitational. The meet will take place Thursday through Saturday at the Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex.
