Liberty University
Duke Invitational
Veteran Palmer, Rookie Sigerud Post 2 of Liberty’s Top Efforts on Soggy Friday
4/7/2023 9:43:35 PM | Track and Field
Two of Liberty’s top performances on a rain-drenched Friday at the Duke Invitational were achieved by a sixth-year senior (Noel Palmer – 17:29.86 5K) and a true freshman (Katie Sigerud – 4:35.34 1,500), both of whom are coming back from injuries.
Weather was the story of the day at Morris Williams Stadium, as the temperature fell from the 80s on Thursday to the 40s on Friday with persistent rain. Lightning in the Durham area delayed the start of competition by 90 minutes, three events (heptathlon, men’s javelin and men’s long jump) were cancelled and both the men’s and women’s pole vault took place indoors.
Women’s Day 2 Recap
Prior to Friday, Palmer had not contested a 5K since finishing sixth at the 2022 ASUN Indoor Track & Field Championships. A four-time all-conference performer at the 5K distance, Palmer dodged the raindrops to post a 17:29.86 for 10th place in her heat. That is the second fastest 5K by a Lady Flame this season and currently ranks No. 10 in the ASUN.
On the opposite end of the experience spectrum, Sigerud ran the third race of her collegiate career on Friday. Her 4:35.34 1,500-meter clocking was good for a team-best 10th place out of 63 runners in the event’s open section, including fastest among freshmen.
Competing unattached, teammate Katelyn Locker ran a personal-best 4:31.08 for fourth place overall.
Mia Bowers paced Liberty’s duo in Group B of the women’s pole vault, tying for seventh place with an 11-11.75 clearance. Emory Pafford’s season-best 11-5.75 effort garnered a share of 16th place.
Men’s Day 2 Recap
Ally Kipchirchir’s first 800 of the outdoor season resulted in a 1:53.92 for 11th place in the invitational section.
Also racing in an invitational section Friday evening, Kyle Harkabus came in 29th in the 1,500 after crossing the finish line in 3:49.31.
Anders Janes notched the Flames’ best placement in any of Friday’s events, coming in fourth in Group B of the men’s pole vault with a successful clearance at 15-7.
Up Next
The Duke Invitational will conclude Saturday, with Liberty’s first event (women’s 800) scheduled for 3 p.m.
The WildCat Track Festival is also set for Saturday at Randolph College’s WildCat Stadium in Lynchburg. First up will be the women’s hammer and men’s shot put at 9 a.m.
Featured in Main Photo: Noel Palmer
