Liberty University
Virginia Open
Brooks’ Program-Record 11.48 100 Highlights Outdoor Season Opener
3/19/2022 8:55:30 PM | Track and Field
Liberty won 12 events during its 2022 outdoor track & field season opener, Saturday’s Virginia Open at Lannigan Field. Arguably none was more impressive than Isis Brooks’ women’s 100 triumph in her Liberty debut in a program-record time of 11.48.
Brooks took down the record of 11.57 which Abigail Flower had owned since the Big South Championship on April 19, 2013. Brooks was one of the Flames’ three double event winners on a warm, sunny afternoon, as she also joined Abby Pantlitz, former Campbell teammate Janai Scott and Ayanna Johnson in winning the women’s 4 x 100 relay in 46.83.
Meredith Engle (women’s 200 – 25.92 and women’s 100 hurdles – 14.60) and Felix Lawrence (men’s 110 hurdles – 14.21 and men’s 400 hurdles – 54.18) also posted a pair of first-place finishes apiece for Liberty. Lawrence climbed to No. 3 on Liberty’s all-time 110 hurdles list, while Engle picked up right where she left off at the end of the indoor campaign.
The ASUN’s Most Valuable Female Performer, Engle set personal bests in all three of her events on Saturday. In addition to her efforts in the 200 and 100 hurdles, the sophomore heaved the javelin a personal-best 131-5. That trailed only teammate Mackenzie Hainley (148-11) in the final standings.
ASUN Most Valuable Male Performer Quinten Clay also opened his outdoor season with a bang, taking home the men’s long jump title with a 24-7.25 leap. That effort likely punched his ticket to the NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round meet, to be contested in Bloomington, Ind., in May.
Other Flames who likely qualified to Bloomington on Saturday included Brooks, John Hicks (winning men’s hammer throw of 202-11) and the men’s shot put duo of Kyle Mitchell (winning men’s shot put throw of 59-9.5) and Kevin Nedrick (men’s shot put runner-up at 59-4.25).
Nedrick was one of two highly touted men’s transfers who excelled in their first meet as Liberty Flames on Saturday. Nedrick, who previously competed at Minnesota, also placed a team-best fourth in the discus (174-3). Meanwhile, former Kentucky Wildcat Donald McClinton won the men’s 200 in a wind-aided 21.03, tying his sprints coach (Pete McFadden) for seventh place in program history.
Gabriel Willis was Liberty’s final event victor on the day, thanks to a 6-6.75 high jump clearance.
Women’s Event Winners
Isis Brooks – 100 – 11.48
Meredith Engle – 200 – 25.92
Meredith Engle – 100 Hurdles – 14.60
Mackenzie Hainley – Javelin – 148-11
Abby Pantlitz, Janai Scott, Isis Brooks, Ayanna Johnson – 4 x 100 Relay – 46.83
Men’s Event Winners
Quinten Clay – Long Jump – 24-7.25
John Hicks – Hammer – 202-11
Felix Lawrence – 110 Hurdles – 14.21
Felix Lawrence – 400 Hurdles – 54.18
Donald McClinton – 200 – 21.03
Kyle Mitchell – Shot Put – 59-9.5
Gabriel Willis – High Jump – 6-6.75
Women’s Record Breakers
Program Record – 100 – Isis Brooks – 11.48
Previous Record: 11.57 by Abigail Flower on April 19, 2013 at the Big South Championship
Women’s NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round Qualifiers
Isis Brooks – 100 – 11.48
Men’s NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round Qualifiers
Quinten Clay – Long Jump – 24-7.25
John Hicks – Hammer – 202-11
Kyle Mitchell – Shot Put – 59-9.5
Kevin Nedrick – Shot Put – 59-4.25
Updates to Liberty’s All-Time Women’s Top 10 List
100 – No. 1 – Isis Brooks – 11.48
Discus – No. 8 – Megan Mann – 153-7
Updates to Liberty’s All-Time Men’s Top 10 List
110 Hurdles – No. 3 – Felix Lawrence – 14.21
Shot Put – No. 6 – Kevin Nedrick – 59-4.25
Discus – No. 7 – Kevin Nedrick – 174-3
200 – Tie for No. 7 – Donald McClinton – 21.03
Up Next
Liberty will send athletes to three different meets this coming, the Texas Relays, Raleigh Relays and the Bobcat Invitational. All three events will feature action on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
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