Darius Dixon
10th Annual Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational Set for Friday & Saturday
2/7/2024 2:50:00 PM | Track and Field
LYNCHBURG, Va. – An annual highlight of the indoor track & field season, the 10th annual Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational will take place Friday and Saturday at the Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex. More than 1,300 athletes from 37 colleges and universities are set to compete this weekend.
The two-day event will begin Friday at 1 p.m. with the men's 60 prelims. Saturday's slate of events starts with the open women's high jump at 9 a.m.
How to Follow the Flames and Lady Flames
Admission is free of charge for the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational.
For the second straight year, this meet will be televised on ESPN+, with live coverage scheduled for Friday from 5:30-9 p.m. and Saturday from Noon-4 p.m. Noah Frary and Liberty Senior Associate AD Todd Patulski will call the action.
Live results will be available throughout the meet, courtesy of Blue Ridge Timing.
Remembering Darius
Darius Dixon, a promising freshman sprinter from Western Branch High School in Chesapeake, Va., opened his Liberty track & field career by competing in the 200 and 400-meter dash events at the Liberty Kickoff on Dec. 5, 2013. Two days later, he was tragically killed in a car accident at the age of 18.
In his memory, Liberty will hold a Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational meet for the 10th straight year. The inaugural Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational was contested on Dec. 3-4, 2014 at the Tolsma Indoor Track Center.
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 Conference USA Indoor Track & Field Championships (Feb. 23-24) still to come.
Who Will Be the Next in Line?
Liberty athletes have set program records each of the last four weekends. Are more in jeopardy this weekend?
Jan. 12 – Virginia Tech Invitational – Reese Webster – Women's 60 – 7.37
Jan. 19 – Brant Tolsma Invitational – Reese Webster – Women's 200 – 23.93
Jan. 27 – Penn State National Open – Katelyn Locker – Women's 1,000 – 2:45.61
Feb. 3 – Liberty Open – John Hicks – Men's Weight Throw – 67-1.25
Feb. 3 – Liberty Open – Reese Webster – Women's 60 – 7.32
Feb. 3 – Liberty Open – Reese Webster – Women's 200 – 23.69
Freshman Record x 4
Katie Urbine has broken the Liberty women's pole vault freshman record at each of her first four collegiate meets. As a result, she is now ranked No. 32 nationally and knocking on the door of Andrea Wildrick's program record of 14-0 which has stood since 2002
Urbine has improved the mark from 12-11.5 at the Liberty Kickoff to 13-0.25 at the Virginia Tech Invitational to 13-7.75 at the Brant Tolsma Invitational to 13-8.5 at the Penn State National Open.
She will be part of a women's pole vault invitational section Friday at 5:30 p.m. which will feature five of the nation's top 40 vaulters headlined by No. 3 Riley Felts of Charlotte and No. 9 Sydney Horn of High Point. Urbine broke several of Horn's records a year ago as a senior at Solanco High School.
Putting Unbeaten Streaks on the Line
Reese Webster is unbeaten in seven individual races (including prelims) during her first year as a Lady Flame, between the women's 60 and 200. Remarkably, five of those seven races have resulted in new program records.
Webster's lone individual event this week will be the 60, where she will square off against defending Darius Dixon champion Ta-halia Fairman of Charlotte. The meet and facility records of 7.30 were set by Norfolk State's Kiara Grant in 2020.
All-American Warren Barrett has not lost to a collegiate opponent in four men's shot put competitions this season. He has posted three victories and took second to post-collegiate T'Mond Johnson at the Penn State National Open.
Barrett currently ranks No. 8 nationally with a season-best mark of 63-6. He will face the nation's No. 10 (Wake Forest's Thomas Kitchell – 63-4.25) and No. 17 (Navy's Joshua Boamah – 61-4.75) shot putters Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Welcome Back, Calli!
All-American Calli Doan will race for the first time in more than two months Friday at 6:05 p.m., when she contests the women's 3K. Doan's last 3K race was a memorable one, as she won the 2023 ASUN title in a Liberty and meet-record time of 9:24.67, helping Liberty clinch he team title.
Friday's race will pit Doan against fellow 2023 NCAA steeplechase national qualifier Olivia Morganti of Penn along with several of CUSA's other top 3K contenders (Liberty's Adelyn Fairley, Middle Tennessee's Faith Nyathi and Middle Tennessee's Odilia Jepchumba.)
Can Anyone Break 4:00?
Although they are becoming increasingly common, sub-4:00 miles are still one of the most exciting achievements in track & field. Only four sub-4:00 miles have ever been run at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex, and all four came during the 2022 Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational. That same day, Ryan Drew ran a Liberty-record 4:01.27.
A number of men's milers harboring sub-4:00 ambitions will toe the starting line Saturday at 2:35 p.m. Liberty's Kyle Harkabus ranks No. 4 in program history with his 4:04.64 clocking from the 2023 ASUN meet. He also owns CUSA's fastest time so far this season at 4:05.28.
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 two weeks away, Liberty ranks No. 1 in the following events:
Women's 60 – Reese Webster – 7.32
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 – 67-1.25
Heptathlon – Cole Peterlin – 5,244
Liberty will get a first-hand look at CUSA members Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky during this weekend's meet.
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. 8 – 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 take next weekend off from competition in preparation for its first appearance at the Conference USA Indoor Track & Field Championships. The meet will take place Feb. 23-24 at the Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex.
The two-day event will begin Friday at 1 p.m. with the men's 60 prelims. Saturday's slate of events starts with the open women's high jump at 9 a.m.
How to Follow the Flames and Lady Flames
Admission is free of charge for the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational.
For the second straight year, this meet will be televised on ESPN+, with live coverage scheduled for Friday from 5:30-9 p.m. and Saturday from Noon-4 p.m. Noah Frary and Liberty Senior Associate AD Todd Patulski will call the action.
Live results will be available throughout the meet, courtesy of Blue Ridge Timing.
Remembering Darius
Darius Dixon, a promising freshman sprinter from Western Branch High School in Chesapeake, Va., opened his Liberty track & field career by competing in the 200 and 400-meter dash events at the Liberty Kickoff on Dec. 5, 2013. Two days later, he was tragically killed in a car accident at the age of 18.
In his memory, Liberty will hold a Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational meet for the 10th straight year. The inaugural Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational was contested on Dec. 3-4, 2014 at the Tolsma Indoor Track Center.
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 Conference USA Indoor Track & Field Championships (Feb. 23-24) still to come.
Who Will Be the Next in Line?
Liberty athletes have set program records each of the last four weekends. Are more in jeopardy this weekend?
Jan. 12 – Virginia Tech Invitational – Reese Webster – Women's 60 – 7.37
Jan. 19 – Brant Tolsma Invitational – Reese Webster – Women's 200 – 23.93
Jan. 27 – Penn State National Open – Katelyn Locker – Women's 1,000 – 2:45.61
Feb. 3 – Liberty Open – John Hicks – Men's Weight Throw – 67-1.25
Feb. 3 – Liberty Open – Reese Webster – Women's 60 – 7.32
Feb. 3 – Liberty Open – Reese Webster – Women's 200 – 23.69
Freshman Record x 4
Katie Urbine has broken the Liberty women's pole vault freshman record at each of her first four collegiate meets. As a result, she is now ranked No. 32 nationally and knocking on the door of Andrea Wildrick's program record of 14-0 which has stood since 2002
Urbine has improved the mark from 12-11.5 at the Liberty Kickoff to 13-0.25 at the Virginia Tech Invitational to 13-7.75 at the Brant Tolsma Invitational to 13-8.5 at the Penn State National Open.
She will be part of a women's pole vault invitational section Friday at 5:30 p.m. which will feature five of the nation's top 40 vaulters headlined by No. 3 Riley Felts of Charlotte and No. 9 Sydney Horn of High Point. Urbine broke several of Horn's records a year ago as a senior at Solanco High School.
Putting Unbeaten Streaks on the Line
Reese Webster is unbeaten in seven individual races (including prelims) during her first year as a Lady Flame, between the women's 60 and 200. Remarkably, five of those seven races have resulted in new program records.
Webster's lone individual event this week will be the 60, where she will square off against defending Darius Dixon champion Ta-halia Fairman of Charlotte. The meet and facility records of 7.30 were set by Norfolk State's Kiara Grant in 2020.
All-American Warren Barrett has not lost to a collegiate opponent in four men's shot put competitions this season. He has posted three victories and took second to post-collegiate T'Mond Johnson at the Penn State National Open.
Barrett currently ranks No. 8 nationally with a season-best mark of 63-6. He will face the nation's No. 10 (Wake Forest's Thomas Kitchell – 63-4.25) and No. 17 (Navy's Joshua Boamah – 61-4.75) shot putters Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Welcome Back, Calli!
All-American Calli Doan will race for the first time in more than two months Friday at 6:05 p.m., when she contests the women's 3K. Doan's last 3K race was a memorable one, as she won the 2023 ASUN title in a Liberty and meet-record time of 9:24.67, helping Liberty clinch he team title.
Friday's race will pit Doan against fellow 2023 NCAA steeplechase national qualifier Olivia Morganti of Penn along with several of CUSA's other top 3K contenders (Liberty's Adelyn Fairley, Middle Tennessee's Faith Nyathi and Middle Tennessee's Odilia Jepchumba.)
Can Anyone Break 4:00?
Although they are becoming increasingly common, sub-4:00 miles are still one of the most exciting achievements in track & field. Only four sub-4:00 miles have ever been run at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex, and all four came during the 2022 Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational. That same day, Ryan Drew ran a Liberty-record 4:01.27.
A number of men's milers harboring sub-4:00 ambitions will toe the starting line Saturday at 2:35 p.m. Liberty's Kyle Harkabus ranks No. 4 in program history with his 4:04.64 clocking from the 2023 ASUN meet. He also owns CUSA's fastest time so far this season at 4:05.28.
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 two weeks away, Liberty ranks No. 1 in the following events:
Women's 60 – Reese Webster – 7.32
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 – 67-1.25
Heptathlon – Cole Peterlin – 5,244
Liberty will get a first-hand look at CUSA members Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky during this weekend's meet.
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. 8 – 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 take next weekend off from competition in preparation for its first appearance at the Conference USA Indoor Track & Field Championships. The meet will take place Feb. 23-24 at the Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex.
Players Mentioned
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Decathlon
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Pole Vault
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Sprints
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