Liberty University
Dr. Jack M. Toms Alumni Invitational
Liberty Throwers Win 6 Dr. Jack M. Toms Alumni Invitational Events
3/26/2022 8:42:44 PM | Track and Field
Competing across town at the University of Lynchburg’s Dr. Jack M. Toms Alumni Invitational on Saturday, Liberty posted 11 first-place finishes. The Flames’ throwers accounted for six of those victories, including a sweep of the four women’s throwing event titles.
Kali Grayson got things started with a women’s javelin triumph Friday night. She reached 132-1 in her first javelin competition since sustaining an injury in April 2021.
Grace Artis dominated the women’s hammer competition with a big personal-best mark of 186-2 that moved her up to No. 5 all-time at Liberty. Sophomores accounted for the Lady Flames’ other two victories in the throws, including Megan Mann in the shot put (42-8.75) and Sofia Mojica in the discus (140-11).
Liberty posted a 1-2 finish in Saturday morning’s first event, the men’s hammer, courtesy of John Hicks (personal-best 206-5) and Sam Mastro (season-best 187-5). Beau Backes later added a men’s discus victory with a personal-best 165-2 effort.
Anthony Bryan (personal-best 14.34, No. 6 in program history) led a 1-2-3 Liberty sweep of the men’s 110 hurdles podium. He was followed across the line by teammates Luke Anderson (14.56) and Zach Wendt (14.85). Anderson later won the men’s 400 hurdles in a season-best 55.79.
Continuing her fast start to the outdoor season, Meredith Engle long jumped a personal-best 18-8.5 for first place. The Lady Flames’ other two victories went to underclassmen Joelle Patton (100 – 13.26) and Samantha Troup (800 – 2:19.36).
Three athletes with Liberty ties won mid-distance and distance events on Saturday. Competing unattached, Flames freshmen won the men’s 800 (Brendan Pitcher – 1:55.91) and men’s 5K (Jack Cottrell – 14:44.47). Meanwhile, Liberty signee Kayla Werner was victorious in the women’s 1,500 in 4:41.97.
Women’s Event Winners
Grace Artis – Hammer – 186-2
Meredith Engle – Long Jump – 18-8.5
Kali Grayson – Javelin – 132-1
Megan Mann – Shot Put – 42-8.75
Sofia Mojica – Discus – 140-11
Joelle Patton – 100 – 13.26
Samantha Troup – 800 – 2:19.36
Men’s Event Winners
Luke Anderson – 400 Hurdles – 55.79
Beau Backes – Discus – 165-2
Anthony Bryan – 110 Hurdles – 14.34
John Hicks – Hammer – 206-5
Updates to Liberty’s All-Time Women’s Top 10 List
Hammer – No. 5 – Grace Artis – 186-2
Updates to Liberty’s All-Time Men’s Top 10 List
Hammer – No. 2 – John Hicks – 206-5
110 Hurdles – No. 6 – Anthony Bryan – 14.34
Up Next
Liberty will compete on both the East Coast (VertKlasse Meeting in High Point, N.C.) and West Coast (Stanford Invitational in Stanford, Calif.) next weekend.
