Liberty University
Bob Pollock Invitational
Jefferson Races to Liberty Freshman-Record 4:06.63 Mile at Clemson
1/28/2022 6:44:13 PM | Track and Field
Will Jefferson’s collegiate mile debut resulted in a runner-up finish and a Liberty freshman-record time of 4:06.63, Friday at the Bob Pollock Invitational at the Clemson Indoor Track & Field Complex.
Jefferson was just edged out of his first collegiate victory, finishing 0.68 seconds behind men’s mile champion Jaymee Domoney of Charleston Southern. The native of Whiteland, Ind., shattered the previous Liberty freshman standard of 4:09.57, set by teammate Felix Kandie at the 2019 ASUN Championship.
Jefferson’s stellar mark now ranks No. 2 on the ASUN Conference all-time list, trailing only the 4:04.71 clocking by teammate Ryan Drew two weeks ago at the Virginia Tech Invitational. It also puts Jefferson fifth all-time at Liberty.
Not to be outdone, Adelyn Ackley ran 4:49.18 for sixth place in her women’s mile debut. She became the third Lady Flame ever to break 4:50 in the event, joining an exclusive club that also includes her coach (Heather Zealand) and her teammate (Calli Doan).
Sisters Anna (4:55.70) and Marie Hostetler (personal-best 5:00.83) later placed first and third, respectively, in their heat of the women’s mile.
Diamantae Griffin and ASUN Men’s Track Athlete of the Week Brandon Letts each advanced to the men’s 60 semifinals. Griffin’s 6.74 effort in the semis ties him with Letts for No. 3 in program history and No. 1 in the ASUN this season.
In the field, Liberty was paced by the women’s weight throw duo of Naomi Mojica (fifth place, season-best 60-5.25) and Grace Artis (sixth, personal-best 58-9.25). Artis climbed to No. 7 all-time at Liberty in the process.
John Hicks reached a season-best 61-6.25 for sixth place in the men’s weight throw, while Taylen Langin (tie for sixth, 12-6) and Emory Pafford (ninth, 12-0) each notched top-10 women’s pole vault showings.
Competing unattached, Isis Brooks raced to a personal-best time of 7.52 in the women’s 60 dash semifinals. She will represent Liberty during the upcoming outdoor season.
Men’s Top 3 Finishers
2nd – Will Jefferson – Mile – 4:06.63
Men’s Record Breakers
Liberty Freshman Record – Mile – Will Jefferson – 4:06.63
Previous Record: 4:09.57 by Felix Kandie at the 2019 ASUN Championship
Updates to Liberty’s All-Time Women’s Top 10 List
Mile – No. 3 – Adelyn Ackley – 4:49.18
Weight Throw – No. 7 – Grace Artis – 58-9.25
Updates to Liberty’s All-Time Men’s Top 10 List
60 – Tie for No. 3 – Diamantae Griffin – 6.74
Mile – No. 5 – Will Jefferson – 4:06.63
Up Next
The Bob Pollock Invitational will wrap up on Saturday. Liberty's first events of the day (men's shot put and women's high jump) are set to begin at 10 a.m.
