Hurdlers will be featured during the Liberty Open, including (L-R): Rayshawn Johnson, Daniel Van Duren, Anthony Bryan and Cole Peterlin
Flames Return Home for Saturday’s Liberty Open
2/1/2024 9:49:00 AM | Track and Field
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Liberty men's and women's indoor track & field teams will begin a home-heavy February schedule by hosting the Liberty Open, Saturday at the Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex. The one-day event will be one of the largest collegiate competitions ever held at the facility, featuring more than 1,300 athletes representing 41 different colleges and universities.
The men's weight throw and lower seeded section of women's shot put will get things started at 8 a.m. Running events will begin at 9 a.m. with the men's shuttle hurdles relay. Events are expected to last until approximately 8:30 p.m. Saturday evening.
How to Follow the Flames and Lady Flames
Admission is free of charge for the Liberty Open.
Live results will be available throughout the meet, courtesy of Blue Ridge Timing.
About the Facility
The 169,000-square-foot Liberty Indoor Track Complex is highlighted by a six-lane, 200-meter, hydraulically banked oval which is now named for legendary Flames head coach Brant Tolsma.
The facility, which includes permanent seating for approximately 1,500 spectators, also boasts ample space for athletes. Competitors are availed a sizable mezzanine area which sits above an eight-lane, 100-meter warm-up straightaway.
The Liberty Indoor Track Complex opened in January 2017 and has seen records broken ever since. This marks the eighth year of competition at the facility.
The Flames will host five college meets this season, with the 10th annual Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational (Feb. 9-10) and Conference USA Indoor Track & Field Championships (Feb. 23-24) still to come.
Highlighting the Hurdles
Saturday's meet will feature a pair of rarely contested hurdle events, including the shuttle hurdles relay at 9 a.m. and the 400 hurdles at 5 p.m.
The Flames are well equipped for the shuttle hurdles relay, as five of the top 11 men's 60 hurdlers and three of the top 11 women's 60 hurdlers in program history are part of the current roster.
Liberty's top men's hurdles options include Albrey Gossett (No. 5 all-time at Liberty 8.06), Anthony Bryan (No. 8, 8.11), Cole Peterlin (No. 9, 8.12) and Daniel Van Duren (No. 11, 8.18). Prosper Ekporere, who ranks No. 2 in program history at 7.93, is currently injured.
Last year at this meet, Bryan, Luke Anderson, Peterlin and Felix Lawrence clocked a Liberty and facility-record time of 32.04.
Program record holder Indea Cartwright (8.23) headlines the Lady Flames' 60 hurdles crew, along with Ahvon Mitchell (No. 4, 8.57) and Amani Hankton (tie for No. 10, 8.75).
The Liberty women's squad will take aim at the shuttle hurdles school record of 34.69, set by Tiffany Jeffcoat, Katie Dodson, Kylie Polsgrove and Jaiden Mulder in 2019.
If either Rayshawn Johnson or Mitchell completes the 400 hurdles Saturday afternoon, they will set program records as no Liberty athlete has previously contested the 400 hurdles indoors. The Flames first hosted the event at the 2023 Liberty Open, but no Flames took part that day.
Blink and You'll Miss Her
Reese Webster's races have quickly become must-watch experiences, as the first-year Lady Flame has already set program records in the women's 60 (7.37 at the Virginia Tech Invitational on Jan. 12) and 200 (23.93 at the Brant Tolsma Invitational on Jan. 19).
After taking last weekend off from competition, Webster is entered in both races on Saturday. The women's 60 final is slated for 1:50 p.m. and the 200 is set to begin at approximately 5:45.
Watch Out for Warren
Shot put All-American Warren Barrett has gotten his final collegiate season off to an impressive start, winning the event at The Burg Open and Brant Tolsma Invitational before finishing second overall (first among collegiate performers) at the Penn State National Open.
Barrett's season-best 63-6 effort from Penn State currently ranks No. 7 nationally and is the best mark among CUSA shot putters by more than eight feet. He is also approaching his own program record of 64-1.25 from the 2023 Brant Tolsma Invitational.
Throwing Their Weight Around
The meet will get started with one of Liberty's top events this season, the men's weight throw.
John Hicks (65-3.25) and Desmond Coleman (64-11.5) rank No. 1 and 2 in CUSA, and both are knocking on the door of Jon Hart's program record (66-6.5 from 2008). Hicks is a three-time ASUN men's weight throw champion (2020, 2021 and 2022), while Coleman is competing in the event for the first time this season.
Christian Hicks, currently No. 4 on the CUSA men's weight throw list, has added two feet to his personal best this year, improving from 57-3.5 to 59-3.5. He is now only an inch away from joining Liberty's all-time top 10 chart.
Conference USA Contenders
Liberty's first season as a Conference USA member will culminate with the 2024 CUSA Indoor Track & Field Championships, Feb. 23-24 at the Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex. With the conference meet just three weeks away, Liberty ranks No. 1 in the following events:
Women's 60 – Reese Webster – 7.37
Women's 800 – Katelyn Locker – 2:08.38
Women's 5K – Calli Doan – 15:58.96
Women's Pole Vault – Katie Urbine – 13-8.5
Pentathlon – Patasha Bryan – 3,814
Men's Mile – Kyle Harkabus – 4:05.28
Men's 3K – Kyle Harkabus – 8:14.70
Men's Shot Put – Warren Barrett – 63-6
Men's Weight Throw – John Hicks – 65-3.25
Heptathlon – Cole Peterlin – 5,244
Among the Nation's Elite
At season's end, the nation's top 16 performers in each event will qualify to the 2024 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships. The meet is scheduled for March 8-9 in Boston, Mass.
The following Flames currently rank among the top 16 in their respective events:
No. 7 – Warren Barrett – Men's Shot Put – 63-6
Barrett hopes to qualify for the NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships for the second year in a row. He placed 15th in the men's shot put to earn second team All-America recognition in 2023.
Up Next
Liberty will prepare to host the 10th annual Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational, Feb. 9-10 at the Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex.
The men's weight throw and lower seeded section of women's shot put will get things started at 8 a.m. Running events will begin at 9 a.m. with the men's shuttle hurdles relay. Events are expected to last until approximately 8:30 p.m. Saturday evening.
How to Follow the Flames and Lady Flames
Admission is free of charge for the Liberty Open.
Live results will be available throughout the meet, courtesy of Blue Ridge Timing.
About the Facility
The 169,000-square-foot Liberty Indoor Track Complex is highlighted by a six-lane, 200-meter, hydraulically banked oval which is now named for legendary Flames head coach Brant Tolsma.
The facility, which includes permanent seating for approximately 1,500 spectators, also boasts ample space for athletes. Competitors are availed a sizable mezzanine area which sits above an eight-lane, 100-meter warm-up straightaway.
The Liberty Indoor Track Complex opened in January 2017 and has seen records broken ever since. This marks the eighth year of competition at the facility.
The Flames will host five college meets this season, with the 10th annual Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational (Feb. 9-10) and Conference USA Indoor Track & Field Championships (Feb. 23-24) still to come.
Highlighting the Hurdles
Saturday's meet will feature a pair of rarely contested hurdle events, including the shuttle hurdles relay at 9 a.m. and the 400 hurdles at 5 p.m.
The Flames are well equipped for the shuttle hurdles relay, as five of the top 11 men's 60 hurdlers and three of the top 11 women's 60 hurdlers in program history are part of the current roster.
Liberty's top men's hurdles options include Albrey Gossett (No. 5 all-time at Liberty 8.06), Anthony Bryan (No. 8, 8.11), Cole Peterlin (No. 9, 8.12) and Daniel Van Duren (No. 11, 8.18). Prosper Ekporere, who ranks No. 2 in program history at 7.93, is currently injured.
Last year at this meet, Bryan, Luke Anderson, Peterlin and Felix Lawrence clocked a Liberty and facility-record time of 32.04.
Program record holder Indea Cartwright (8.23) headlines the Lady Flames' 60 hurdles crew, along with Ahvon Mitchell (No. 4, 8.57) and Amani Hankton (tie for No. 10, 8.75).
The Liberty women's squad will take aim at the shuttle hurdles school record of 34.69, set by Tiffany Jeffcoat, Katie Dodson, Kylie Polsgrove and Jaiden Mulder in 2019.
If either Rayshawn Johnson or Mitchell completes the 400 hurdles Saturday afternoon, they will set program records as no Liberty athlete has previously contested the 400 hurdles indoors. The Flames first hosted the event at the 2023 Liberty Open, but no Flames took part that day.
Blink and You'll Miss Her
Reese Webster's races have quickly become must-watch experiences, as the first-year Lady Flame has already set program records in the women's 60 (7.37 at the Virginia Tech Invitational on Jan. 12) and 200 (23.93 at the Brant Tolsma Invitational on Jan. 19).
After taking last weekend off from competition, Webster is entered in both races on Saturday. The women's 60 final is slated for 1:50 p.m. and the 200 is set to begin at approximately 5:45.
Watch Out for Warren
Shot put All-American Warren Barrett has gotten his final collegiate season off to an impressive start, winning the event at The Burg Open and Brant Tolsma Invitational before finishing second overall (first among collegiate performers) at the Penn State National Open.
Barrett's season-best 63-6 effort from Penn State currently ranks No. 7 nationally and is the best mark among CUSA shot putters by more than eight feet. He is also approaching his own program record of 64-1.25 from the 2023 Brant Tolsma Invitational.
Throwing Their Weight Around
The meet will get started with one of Liberty's top events this season, the men's weight throw.
John Hicks (65-3.25) and Desmond Coleman (64-11.5) rank No. 1 and 2 in CUSA, and both are knocking on the door of Jon Hart's program record (66-6.5 from 2008). Hicks is a three-time ASUN men's weight throw champion (2020, 2021 and 2022), while Coleman is competing in the event for the first time this season.
Christian Hicks, currently No. 4 on the CUSA men's weight throw list, has added two feet to his personal best this year, improving from 57-3.5 to 59-3.5. He is now only an inch away from joining Liberty's all-time top 10 chart.
Conference USA Contenders
Liberty's first season as a Conference USA member will culminate with the 2024 CUSA Indoor Track & Field Championships, Feb. 23-24 at the Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex. With the conference meet just three weeks away, Liberty ranks No. 1 in the following events:
Women's 60 – Reese Webster – 7.37
Women's 800 – Katelyn Locker – 2:08.38
Women's 5K – Calli Doan – 15:58.96
Women's Pole Vault – Katie Urbine – 13-8.5
Pentathlon – Patasha Bryan – 3,814
Men's Mile – Kyle Harkabus – 4:05.28
Men's 3K – Kyle Harkabus – 8:14.70
Men's Shot Put – Warren Barrett – 63-6
Men's Weight Throw – John Hicks – 65-3.25
Heptathlon – Cole Peterlin – 5,244
Among the Nation's Elite
At season's end, the nation's top 16 performers in each event will qualify to the 2024 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships. The meet is scheduled for March 8-9 in Boston, Mass.
The following Flames currently rank among the top 16 in their respective events:
No. 7 – Warren Barrett – Men's Shot Put – 63-6
Barrett hopes to qualify for the NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships for the second year in a row. He placed 15th in the men's shot put to earn second team All-America recognition in 2023.
Up Next
Liberty will prepare to host the 10th annual Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational, Feb. 9-10 at the Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex.
Players Mentioned
Hurdles
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Decathlon
/ Track and Field
Heptathlon
/ Track and Field
Hurdles
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Hurdles
/ Track and Field
Hurdles
/ Track and Field
Mid-distance
/ Track and Field
Hurdles
/ Track and Field
Hurdles/Jumps
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Hurdles
/ Track and Field
Hurdles
/ Track and Field
Decathlon
/ Track and Field
Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Decathlon
/ Track and Field
Sprints
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