Liberty University
Bob Pollock Invitational
Bueno, Doan & Kiprotich Star on Bob Pollock Day 1
1/27/2023 8:13:12 PM | Track and Field
Liberty’s opening day of competition at the Bob Pollock Invitational featured a number of impressive performances, Friday at the Clemson Indoor Track & Field Complex. Paola Bueno set a Liberty freshman record in the women’s weight throw (65-2.75), Calli Doan clocked the Lady Flames’ fastest mile since 2002 (4:39.91) and Nicholas Kiprotich won the men’s 5K in 14:47.89.
Women’s Day 1 Recap
Learning the weight throw for the first time this season, Bueno has proven to be an apt student. The first four times she has competed in the event, she has improved from 58-6 to 61-4 to 62-8 to 65-2.75 on Friday.
Today’s 65-2.75 effort placed sixth in the event and took down the Liberty freshman record of 64-7.75, set by Chelsea Igberaese while winning the 2019 ASUN title. Ironically, Igberaese, who now competes for Alabama, won Friday’s competition.
Bueno climbs to No. 4 all-time both at Liberty and in the ASUN Conference. Only one freshman in the NCAA had reached 65-2.75 or longer this season, entering the weekend.
Teammate and fellow Mexico native Sofia Mojica also achieved a weight throw personal best, stretching the tape to 54-8.75 for 19th place.
Personal bests abounded in the women’s mile, led by Doan’s six-second improvement upon her previous best. Her 4:39.91 clocking placed fifth in the event and was not far off the program record of 4:38.52 set by Doan’s coach (Heather (Sagan) Zealand) while winning the 2002 NCAA Division I national title.
The only ASUN runners who have ever clocked a faster mile than Doan are Kennesaw State’s Caroline Timm (who finished one spot ahead of Doan on Friday in 4:38.64) and ETSU’s Heidi Dahl (4:39.39 in 2009).
Doan was joined in running sub-5:00 miles by teammates Marie Hostetler (14th place, personal-best 4:53.53, No. 8 all-time at Liberty), Jessica Palisca (17th, personal-best 4:55.00) and Anna Hostetler (21st, 4:58.49). Palisca scared the Liberty freshman record of 4:53.77 which Katie Albright has owned since 2008.
Other Lady Flames to notch their best-ever miles included Summer Bejarano (5:03.95) and Catherine Farrell (5:04.85).
Indea Cartwright won her preliminary heat of the 60 hurdles in 8.43 and was followed closely by Jasmine Williams in 8.51. However, neither Lady Flame was able to make the final.
Makenzy Mizera’s season-best 19-0.75 long jump earned a ninth-place finish in the event.
Dawn Hilton achieved personal bests in two races Friday afternoon, including the 60 (7.86) and 400 (58.88).
Men’s Day 1 Recap
The first Flame to compete on Friday, Kiprotich got the day off to a good start by collecting his first track victory as a Flame. He did so in dominating fashion, as Kiprotich’s time of 14:47.89 was 23 seconds faster than anyone else in the field.
The final Liberty athlete to wrap up his competition Friday evening, Quinten Clay long jumped a season-best and ASUN-leading 24-5 for the event’s runner-up spot.
The Flames put three weight throwers inside the top 15 of the final standings, including John Hicks (10th place, 59-8.5), Stuart Folkerts (12th, personal-best 57-11.75) and Christian Hicks (15th, personal-best 55-2.25).
Racing on his 19th birthday, freshman Graham Mussmon paced the Flames’ quartet of men’s milers with a 15th-place showing in 4:10.72. Teammate Kyle Harkabus came in right on his heels in 16th, crossing the line in a season-best 4:10.79.
Omari Lewis was the closest Flame to making a running event final. He ran 6.79 in the men’s 60 dash prelims, but a time of 6.76 or faster was required for advancement to the final.
Men’s Day 1 Event Winners
Nicholas Kiprotich – 5K – 14:47.89
Women’s Day 1 Record Breakers
Liberty Freshman Record – Weight Throw – Paola Bueno – 65-2.75
Previous Record: 64-7.75 by Chelsea Igberaese at the ASUN Championship on Feb. 23, 2019
Day 1 Updates to Liberty’s All-Time Women’s Top 10 List
Mile – No. 2 – Calli Doan – 4:39.91
Weight Throw – No. 4 – Paola Bueno – 65-2.75
Mile – No. 8 – Marie Hostetler – 4:53.53
Day 1 Updates to Liberty’s All-Time Men’s Top 10 List
Weight Throw – No. 10 – Stuart Folkerts – 57-11.75
Up Next
The Flames will wrap up their stay at the Bob Pollock Invitational with a busy day of activity on Saturday. The men’s shot put will be first up at 9 a.m.
Featured in Main Photo: Paola Bueno
