Friday, May 16
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
10:30 AM ET/9:30 AM CT
Liberty University
at
Conference USA Outdoor Track Championships
Omari Lewis captured the 2024 CUSA men's 100 title in a record-setting time of 9.88.
Liberty Track Seeks to Defend Titles at CUSA Outdoor Championships
5/14/2025 8:25:00 AM | Track and Field
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Liberty will make its second appearance at the CUSA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Friday through Sunday at Middle Tennessee's Dean A. Hayes Track & Soccer Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
The decathlon 100-meter dash will get things started Friday at 10:30 a.m. Eastern, and the meet will wrap up Sunday at 10 p.m. Eastern with the women's 4 x 400 relay.
The Liberty men's team has captured 17 consecutive outdoor conference titles, including a dozen in the Big South (2007-18), four in the ASUN (2019, 2021-23) and one in its CUSA debut in 2024. That marks the longest active NCAA Division I men's outdoor track & field conference championship streak in the nation.
Meanwhile, the Lady Flames will look to make it three straight outdoor titles after closing out their stay in the ASUN Conference with a team championship in 2023 and opening their CUSA tenure with a victory in 2024.
Liberty has won CUSA championships in both women's cross country and women's indoor track & field during the current academic year. If the Lady Flames are victorious this weekend, Liberty would complete its first women's conference Triple Crown (cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field titles) since 2016-17 (Big South Conference). No CUSA women's program has earned a Triple Crown during a single academic year since 2007-08 (Rice).
This meet, being contested in Murfreesboro for the third time (also 2016 and 2021), will provide athletes with a final opportunity to post qualifying marks for the NCAA Division I East First Rounds. That event will be contested at Visit Jax Track at Hodges Stadium, May 28-31 in Jacksonville, Fla.
How to Follow the Action
Live video streaming will be available on ESPN+ each evening, beginning at 6:45 p.m. Eastern Friday, 7:15 p.m. Eastern Saturday and 6:45 p.m. Eastern Sunday.
Live results will be provided by Delta Timing throughout the meet.
Weather Report
The preliminary forecast for Murfreesboro calls for a high in the low-80s on Friday, upper-70s on Saturday and mid-70s on Sunday. Showers and thunderstorms are possible throughout much of the meet.
Men's Meet Preview
As mentioned previously, the Liberty men's squad is in search of its 18th consecutive outdoor conference title this week. However, the Flames anticipate a considerable challenge from defending ASUN champion Kennesaw State.
The Owls defeated the Flames by 14.5 points at this year's CUSA Indoor Track & Field Championships, halting Liberty's 27-year indoor conference winning streak. The last four CUSA men's indoor track & field team champions have gone on to capture the outdoor title as well.
Liberty boasts the No. 1 seed in the following events this week: 100 (Omari Lewis), 5K (Edwin Kiprop), 400 hurdles (Jacob Torres), 4 x 100 relay, discus (Christian Hicks) and hammer (Kellen Kimes).
Lewis (100) and Nicholas Kiprotich (10K) will aim to successfully defend their CUSA event titles from 2024. Lewis has raced to back-to-back conference 100 championships, also including his ASUN victory in 2023.
Two other Flames (Kimes – weight throw/hammer and Gabriel Willis – heptathlon/decathlon) won CUSA indoor titles this year and will look to return to the top of the podium in the equivalent outdoor events.
Women's Meet Preview
Liberty has won all three women's track & field championship trophies since joining CUSA (2024 indoor, 2024 outdoor and 2025 indoor). The Lady Flames will attempt to become the first back-to-back women's team champions at this meet since UCF won four outdoor championships in succession between 2010-13.
The Lady Flames defeated runner-up Kennesaw State by 28 points indoors this season. The Owls were the most recent team to top Liberty in an outdoor conference championship (2022 ASUN), handing the Lady Flames their only outdoor setback in the last nine seasons (2015-19 and 2021-24).
The Lady Flames own CUSA's top marks this season in the 200 (Reese Webster – tie), 1,500 (Allie Zealand), 5K (Adelyn Fairley), 10K (Fairley), shot put (Bethany Tate) and heptathlon (Meredith Engle).
A trio of Lady Flames are back to defend their 2024 CUSA outdoor event championships, including Kate Goodyear (800), Paola Bueno (hammer) and Patasha Bryan (heptathlon).
Three additional Lady Flames will try to win the outdoor equivalent to their 2025 CUSA indoor event crowns (Zealand – mile/1,500, Fairley – 5K and Engle – pentathlon/heptathlon).
After placing 12th in the pentathlon at the 2025 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships, Engle will attempt to lock in a heptathlon berth at the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships with her performance in Murfreesboro.
Men's 100-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 9 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 8:10 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Omari Lewis (Liberty) – 9.88
Meet Record: 10.04 by Alaba Akintola (Middle Tennessee) in 2022
Liberty Record: 9.88 by Omari Lewis in 2024
2025 Indoor Champion (60 Meters): Chance Cross (Kennesaw State) – 6.61
2025 Leader: Omari Lewis (Liberty) – 10.05
Liberty Entrants: Omari Lewis, Troy McKnight, Revell Webster and Eddy Vu
Liberty Outlook: Liberty has won four straight men's 100 conference titles, a streak which began with Diamantae Griffin's ASUN crown in 2021 and whose most recent entry was Omari Lewis' show-stopping CUSA victory in 2024 in a wind and altitude-aided 9.88. Ranked No. 1 in CUSA and No. 11 nationally at 10.05, Lewis is favored to capture his third consecutive men's 100 championship (also 2023 ASUN). No Liberty Flame has ever raced to three men's 100 conference titles. First-year Flame Troy McKnight is also a past conference champion in this event, claiming the OVC men's 100 crown in 2023 for Little Rock.
Others to Watch: Kennesaw State's Chance Cross was a surprise winner of this year's CUSA indoor 60 title and is the No. 2 seed in the 100 at 10.15. The last three CUSA men's 60 champions have gone on to win the 100 two months later, including Lewis a year ago.
Men's 200-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Saturday at 9 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 8:55 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Xavier Butler (UTEP) – 20.57
Meet Record: 20.28 by Julius Morris (Western Kentucky) in 2017
Liberty Record: 20.38 by Diamantae Griffin in 2022
2025 Indoor Champion: Jayden Jones (Sam Houston) – 20.73
2025 Leader: Jayden Jones (Sam Houston) – 20.47
Liberty Entrants: Omari Lewis, Revell Webster, Elijah Sherard, Troy McKnight and Eddy Vu
Liberty Outlook: Seeded No. 5 at 20.76, Omari Lewis is chasing his first career conference title at 200 meters. He has finished second, third and fourth (twice) but has yet to claim the top step of the podium. Lewis clocked a wind-aided 20.72 for fourth place at this meet a year ago.
Others to Watch: Sam Houston sophomore Jayden Jones owns the No. 1 seed at 20.47 and is the two-time defending CUSA indoor men's 200 champion. However, his teammate Tyriq Brunn is the top returnee from the 2024 outdoor 200 final (second place). Three of the last five CUSA men's 100 champions have proceeded to win the 200 later that day.
Men's 400-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 8:25 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 7:55 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Julio Pacheco Estrada (UTEP) – 46.41
Meet Record: 44.53 by Emmanuel Korir (UTEP) in 2017
Liberty Record: 44.86 by Alejandro Perlaza Zapata in 2018
2025 Indoor Champion: Frank Bradley-Reed (Louisiana Tech) – 46.74
2025 Leader: Frank Bradley-Reed (Louisiana Tech) – 45.98
Liberty Entrants: Elijah Sherard and Simon Lamparelli
Liberty Outlook: Liberty has struggled in the men's 400 outdoors in recent years. Simon Lamparelli finished fourth at the 2024 CUSA outdoor championship as a freshman a year ago, becoming the first Flame to qualify for an outdoor conference final since Michael Rose in 2021 (ASUN). Alejandro Perlaza (2019 ASUN, first place) was the Flames' last outdoor all-conference performer. The tide could be turning, however, as freshman Elijah Sherard and Lamparelli placed 4-5 in the CUSA indoor men's 400 final earlier this year. Sherard's Liberty freshman-record 46.65 effort from the Florida Relays has him seeded No. 4 heading to Murfreesboro. An improvement this week could make Sherard the first Liberty men's 400 runner to qualify for the NCAA Division I East First Rounds meet since Perlaza Zapata in 2019.
Others to Watch: UTEP's Julio Pacheco Estrada will attempt to become the first CUSA runner to win back-to-back men's 400 titles since Houston's Errol Nolan captured three in a row between 2010 and 2012. However, he has only raced once all season and is only seeded ninth at 47.35. Frank Bradley-Reed of Louisiana Tech captured the CUSA indoor title and is the only conference runner to break 46 (45.98) so far during the outdoor campaign. He is favored to earn the Bulldogs' first CUSA outdoor 400 championship.
Men's 800-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Prelims – Saturday at 7:45 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 8:25 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Aron Tanui (UTEP) – 1:54.64
Meet Record: 1:47.48 by Michael Saruni (UTEP) in 2017
Liberty Record: 1:48.26 by Brendan Pitcher in 2024
2025 Indoor Champion: Mackdonald Songok (Middle Tennessee) – 1:50.24
2025 Leader: Mackdonald Songok (Middle Tennessee) – 1:47.96
Liberty Entrants: Brendan Pitcher
Liberty Outlook: Coming off a season-best 1:48.60 effort at the Liberty Twilight Qualifier, Brendan Pitcher is seeded No. 3. He is a two-time indoor conference champion in the 800 (2023 ASUN and 2024 CUSA) but is chasing Liberty's first outdoor crown in this event since 2019 (Michael Todd – ASUN). Pitcher may also need to break his own program record of 1:48.26 from 2024 in order to return to the NCAA Division I East First Rounds meet.
Others to Watch: UTEP (six titles) and Middle Tennessee (four titles) have combined to capture the last 10 CUSA outdoor men's 800 championships, including Aron Tanui's triumph on his home track in 2024. Tanui will try to become the first men's 800 runner to successfully defend his CUSA outdoor championship since 2011 and 2012 (Tulsa's Chris O'Hare). Middle Tennessee freshman Mackdonald Songok raced to the CUSA indoor title and is seeded No. 1 outdoors at 1:47.96. The last CUSA indoor/outdoor men's 800 champion within the same year was UTEP great Michael Saruni in 2017.
Men's 1,500-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 7:15 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 7:25 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Kyle Harkabus (Liberty) – 3:55.06
Meet Record: 3:42.24 by Jacob Choge (Middle Tennessee) in 2021
Liberty Record: 3:40.78 by Kyle Harkabus in 2024
2025 Indoor Champion (Mile): Brian Kiptoo (Middle Tennessee) – 4:04.08
2025 Leader: Edwin Kiprono (Kennesaw State) – 3:43.24
Liberty Entrants: Edwin Kiprop
Liberty Outlook: The Flames' Edwin Kiprop figures to contend in the "metric mile." He placed fourth in this event in 2024 as a freshman and boasts the No. 3 seed in 2025 at 3:45.97. Kiprop will try to make it back-to-back CUSA men's 1,500 victories for Liberty, following Kyle Harkabus' triumph last season.
Others to Watch: Middle Tennessee's Brian Kiptoo is the top returnee from 2024 (second place) and led a 1-2 finish by the Blue Raiders in this season's CUSA indoor men's mile final. However, it is Kennesaw State freshman Edwin Kiprono (3:43.24) who boasts the conference's fastest time of the season by more than two seconds.
Men's 3,000-Meter Steeplechase
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 10 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Carmelo Cannizzaro (Middle Tennessee) – 9:27.37
Meet Record: 8:39.44 by Anthony Rotich (UTEP) in 2013
Liberty Record: 8:32.95 by Felix Kandie in 2021
2025 Leader: Allan Kiplagat (Middle Tennessee) – 8:39.06
Liberty Entrants: Dale Hall, Sean Aiken, Nathan Moore and Ethan Pedersen
Liberty Outlook: Liberty's Dale Hall ran a program freshman record 8:59.36 at the Bryan Clay Invitational, making him one of only three CUSA runners to break 9:00 this season. He will need to run closer to 8:50 if he hopes to qualify for the NCAA Division I East First Rounds meet. Nathan Moore and Ethan Pedersen are both slated to make their steeplechase debuts on Saturday.
Others to Watch: Only seven CUSA men's runners have completed a steeplechase this season, but two of them have run 8:39—Middle Tennessee's Allan Kiplagat (cross country All-American) and Carmelo Cannizzaro (defending CUSA champion). The Blue Raiders finished 1-2-3 in this event at the 2024 CUSA meet.
Men's 5,000-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 9:25 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Brian Kiptoo (Middle Tennessee) – 14:59.88
Meet Record: 13:51.64 by Nick Scudder (Charlotte) in 2023
Liberty Record: 13:20.43 by Josh McDougal in 2007
2025 Indoor Champion: Allan Kiplagat (Middle Tennessee) – 14:17.70
2025 Leader: Edwin Kiprop (Liberty) – 13:52.95
Liberty Entrants: Edwin Kiprop, Jack Cottrell, Nathan Moore and Nicholas Kiprotich
Liberty Outlook: Liberty's Edwin Kiprop is the only CUSA runner to clock a sub-14:00 5K this season, and the sophomore has done so both times he has contested the race. He will chase Liberty's first outdoor conference title in this event since 2021 (Ryan Drew – ASUN).
Others to Watch: The defending CUSA indoor (Allan Kiplagat) and outdoor (Brian Kiptoo) men's 5K champions both hail from Middle Tennessee. Kiptoo will aim to become the first men's 5K runner to claim back-to-back CUSA outdoor crowns since UTEP's Anthony Rotich won three in succession between 2013 and 2015.
Men's 10,000-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 10 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Nicholas Kiprotich (Liberty) – 31:31.77
Meet Record: 28:58.29 by Jacob Choge (Middle Tennessee) in 2021
Liberty Record: 27:08.39 by Sam Chelanga in 2010
2025 Leader: Brian Limo (Kennesaw State) – 29:10.35
Liberty Entrants: Nicholas Kiprotich, Nathan Moore, Ethan Pedersen and Jack Cottrell
Liberty Outlook: The Flames' Nicholas Kiprotich rolled to a 20-second victory in a four-person CUSA men's 10K final in 2024. He will look to become Liberty's first-ever back-to-back men's 10K conference champion.
Others to Watch: Kiprotich is seeded No. 3 at 29:37.60, trailing a pair of Kennesaw State Owls (Brian Limo – 29:10.35 and Collins KipKemboi – 29:24.46). The talented duo gives KSU a good shot at its first men's 10K conference title since 2011 (Nabil Hamid – ASUN).
Men's 110-Meter Hurdles
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 7:50 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 7:40 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Stephen Eloji (Middle Tennessee) – 13.28 (Second in a row)
Meet Record: 13.50 by Stephen Eloji (Middle Tennessee) in 2023
Liberty Record: 13.66 by Prosper Ekporere in 2023
2025 Indoor Champion (60 Hurdles): Jordani Woodley (UTEP) – 7.69
2025 Leader: Oscar Smith (Louisiana Tech) – 13.55
Liberty Entrants: Isaiah Idore and Luke Anderson
Liberty Outlook: The Flames' Isaiah Idore has enjoyed a breakthrough season, climbing to No. 3 in program history with his 14.06 men's 110 hurdles effort at the East Coast Relays. However, he is only seeded No. 7 in one of CUSA's deepest events. Idore will aim to become the third Flame ever to break 14.00 and thus put himself in the running for an NCAA Division I East First Rounds berth.
Others to Watch: Oscar Smith, the top seed at 13.55, will shoot for Louisiana Tech's first CUSA title in this event. No. 2 seed Jordani Woodley of UTEP (13.61) raced to this year's CUSA indoor 60 hurdles crown and was an NCAA Division I national qualifier in the 110 hurdles in 2024. The 110 hurdles could be a big event for Kennesaw State, with four Owls listed among the top eight seeds.
Men's 400-Meter Hurdles
Event Schedule: Prelims – Saturday at 8:20 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 8:40 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Stephen Eloji (Middle Tennessee) – 51.69 (Third in a row)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Sean Dyer (Kennesaw State) – 51.98
Meet Record: 49.82 by Shakeem Smith (UTEP) in 2021
Liberty Record: 50.27 by Rayan Holmes in 2023
2025 Leader: Jacob Torres (Liberty) – 51.68
Liberty Entrants: Jacob Torres, Josh Blalock and Luke Anderson
Liberty Outlook: Within the last two months, Jacob Torres (51.68) and Josh Blalock (51.75) have become the ninth and 10th Liberty Flames ever to break 52.00 in the men's 400 hurdles. They are the only two CUSA runners to do so thus far in 2025, stamping themselves as contenders both for a CUSA title and for a trip to the NCAA Division I East First Rounds meet. Torres raced to a pair of SCIAC 400 hurdles crowns (2022 and 2023) while competing for Occidental.
Others to Watch: Stephen Eloji of Middle Tennessee graduated as the three-time defending CUSA men's 400 hurdles champion, leaving this event a bit more wide open. Louisiana Tech has never won this event at the CUSA meet, but Laeden Tucker was the runner-up to Eloji in 2024 and is seeded No. 3 this year at 52.30. Kennesaw State's Sean Dyer claimed the ASUN men's 400 hurdles victory a year ago.
Men's 4 x 100 Relay
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 7:05 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Louisiana Tech – 40.42
Meet Record: 38.89 by Southern Miss in 2018
Liberty Record: 39.08 in 2022
2025 Leader: Liberty – 39.42
Liberty Outlook: Liberty's men's 4 x 100 relay grouping of Eddy Vu, Troy McKnight, Revell Webster and Omari Lewis clocked a CUSA-leading time of 39.42 back in March, becoming the second-fastest quartet in program history. However, they have contested the event only once since then.
Others to Watch: The Flames are one of four CUSA 4 x 100 relay units to break 40 seconds this season, also including Kennesaw State (39.46), Sam Houston (39.55) and defending champion Louisiana Tech (39.67). The last team to win back-to-back CUSA men's 4 x 100 relay championships was WKU (three in a row between 2015-17).
Men's 4 x 400 Relay
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 10 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Louisiana Tech – 3:10.30
Defending Champion (ASUN): Kennesaw State – 3:09.57
Meet Record: 3:04.50 by Western Kentucky in 2019
Liberty Record: 3:07.28 in 1997
2025 Indoor Champion: Louisiana Tech – 3:11.03
2025 Leader: Louisiana Tech – 3:06.16
Liberty Outlook: The Flames' team of Simon Lamparelli, Revell Webster, Elijah Sherard and Jacob Torres posted a time of 3:10.32 at the Florida Relays. Liberty's fastest 4 x 400 relay time since 2019 earned CUSA's No. 3 seed and gives the Flames a good chance to improve upon last year's fifth-place showing.
Others to Watch: Louisiana Tech is the team to beat. The Bulldogs are the reigning CUSA indoor and outdoor 4 x 400 relay titlists and own the conference's top time by three seconds at 3:06.16.
Men's Long Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 5 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Mateo Smith (Louisiana Tech) – 24-7 (7.49m)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Jeremiah Sims (Kennesaw State) – 24-3.5 (7.40m)
Meet Record: 26-2.75 (7.99m) by Desmond Mobley (Western Kentucky) in 2018
Liberty Record: 25-6.75 (7.79m) by Chad Wilson in 2004
2025 Indoor Champion: Kaelen Mitchell (Kennesaw State) – 24-7 (7.49m)
2025 Leader: Kaelen Mitchell (Kennesaw State) – 25-0.75 (7.64m)
Liberty Entrants: Markus White
Liberty Outlook: First-year Flame Markus White is seeded No. 4 in the men's long jump at 24-6.25. That has him in contention for both the Flames' first outdoor conference title in this event since 2022 (Quinten Clay – ASUN) and a trip to the NCAA Division I East First Rounds meet. White was a two-time NCAA Division II men's long jump All-American in 2024 while at Virginia State.
Others to Watch: Kennesaw State's Kaelen Mitchell jumped to the CUSA indoor title and is the top outdoor performer so far in 2025 at 25-0.75. The last three CUSA indoor men's long jump champions have gone on to prevail outdoors too. Mitchell placed second to teammate Jeremiah Sims at last year's ASUN meet. WKU freshman Sterling Weldon (24-11.25 season best) could also contend for his team's first CUSA title in this event since 2018.
Men's Triple Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 8 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Jakub Belik (UTEP) – 48-9.5 (14.87m)
Meet Record: 52-10 (16.10m) by Raphel Martin (Charlotte) in 2000
Liberty Record: 52-1.25 (15.88m) by Clarence Powell in 2010
2025 Indoor Champion: Justin Campbell (Kennesaw State) – 51-1.5 (15.88m)
2025 Leader: Lloyd Hill Jr. (Kennesaw State) – 50-8.25 (15.45m)
Liberty Entrants: Joshua Smith and Markus White
Liberty Outlook: Liberty's Joshua Smith, the No. 2 seed at 50-8, has won two indoor conference championships in the men's triple jump (2023 ASUN and 2024 CUSA) but is seeking the Flames' first outdoor victory in this event since 2018 (Darrel Jones – Big South).
Others to Watch: This is another strong event for Kennesaw State, as the Owls boast the top seed (Lloyd Hill Jr. – 50-8.25) and the CUSA indoor champion (Justin Campbell). Hill Jr. scored in this event at the 2023 Big Ten outdoor meet for Purdue (eighth place). UTEP's Jakub Belik claimed the 2024 CUSA outdoor victory on his home track, but the high jump ace has not competed in the triple jump since.
Men's High Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Jakub Belik (UTEP) – 7-0.5 (2.15m) (Second in a row)
Meet Record: 7-6.5 (2.30m) by Mickael Hanany (UTEP) in 2006 and 2008
Liberty Record: 7-1 (2.16m) by Kennedy Sauder in 2022, Kyle Wheeler in 2012 and Matt Parker in 2009
2025 Indoor Champion: Jakub Belik (UTEP) – 7-0.5 (2.15m)
2025 Leader: Jakub Belik (UTEP) – 7-1.75 (2.18m)
Liberty Entrants: Gabriel Willis and Hunter Bleam
Liberty Outlook: No Liberty Flame has high jumped over 6-2 this season. However, Gabriel Willis owns a 6-11.75 personal best and was the CUSA indoor runner-up.
Others to Watch: UTEP's Jakub Belik is a considerable favorite to become the first men's high jumper in conference history ever to win three years in a row. His 7-1.75 season best has only been approached by Kennesaw State freshman Kenyatta Bennett (6-11) thus far in 2025. Belik has earned all five CUSA men's high jump crowns since the start of the 2023 indoor season.
Men's Pole Vault
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 6 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Benjamin Carlile (Sam Houston) – 17-1.75 (5.23m)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Simon Seid (Kennesaw State) – 17-7 (5.36m)
Meet Record: 17-9.75 (5.43m) by Alexander Slinkman (Rice) in 2023
Liberty Record: 17-8.5 (5.40m) by Kolby Shepherd in 2012
2025 Indoor Champion: Dylan Truss (Sam Houston) – 16-10.75 (5.15m)
2025 Leader: Simon Seid (Kennesaw State) – 17-2.75 (5.25m)
Liberty Entrants: Todd Benhase and Hunter Flack
Liberty Outlook: Liberty freshman Todd Benhase, who shared second place in the CUSA indoor men's pole vault competition, is tied for CUSA's No. 5 seed outdoors at 16-4.75. After setting the indoor Liberty freshman record at 16-6.75, Benhase is chasing Ander Janes' outdoor freshman mark of 16-7.5 from 2019. That year, Janes vaulted to the ASUN title, and Liberty is still in search of its first outdoor men's pole vault crown since then.
Others to Watch: Kennesaw State's Simon Seid has earned outdoor conference pole vault titles each of the last two years (2023 and 2024 – ASUN) and is this year's top performer by more than six inches at 17-2.75. However, Seid was defeated by Sam Houston's Dylan Truss at the CUSA indoor championship.
Men's Shot Put
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 6 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Warren Barrett (Liberty) – 58-3 (17.75m)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Caleb Hartley (Kennesaw State) – 59-6.25 (18.14m)
Meet Record: 65-9.75 (20.06m) by Richard Garrett (UTSA) in 2014
Liberty Record: 64-9.75 (19.75m) by Kyle Mitchell in 2021
2025 Indoor Champion: Evan Martinez (Kennesaw State) – 55-7.5 (16.95m)
2025 Leader: Evan Martinez (Kennesaw State) – 56-6.75 (17.24m)
Liberty Entrants: Christian Hicks, Jordae Edwards, Trevor Veenstra and Beau Backes
Liberty Outlook: Following the graduation of the Flames' All-American and defending CUSA champion Warren Barrett, the men's shot put has become quite wide open. Three Flames (Christian Hicks, Trevor Veenstra and Jordae Edwards) are part of a grouping where the No. 2 through No. 9 seeds are separated by just 10.25 inches. Veenstra, Beau Backes and Hicks placed 3-4-7 for the Flames indoors.
Others to Watch: Kennesaw State's Evan Martinez, the CUSA indoor men's shot put champion, is the top performer outdoors by more than a foot at 56-8.75. All three of the podium finishers from last year's men's shot put competition at UTEP have since departed.
Men's Discus
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Aleks Hristov (UTEP) – 183-2 (55.84m)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Anthony Harrison (Kennesaw State) – 181-2 (55.21m)
Meet Record: 195-5 (59.56m) by Sam Welsh (Rice) in 2023
Liberty Record: 204-3 (62.26m) by Clendon Henderson in 2008
2025 Leader: Christian Hicks (Liberty) – 188-3 (57.39m)
Liberty Entrants: Christian Hicks, Beau Backes and Trevor Veenstra
Liberty Outlook: Liberty returns the third (Christian Hicks) and fifth-place (Beau Backes) men's discus finishers from last season, both of whom are bound for the NCAA Division I East First Rounds meet. Hicks owns the top seed at 188-3 and has surpassed the season best of No. 2 seed and defending champion Aleks Hristov of UTEP (183-0) in four different competitions this year. Freshman Trevor Veenstra has made significant improvement this season, going from 151-6 at his season-opening meet to 171-6 at last week's Liberty Twilight Qualifier. He is now knocking on the door of an NCAA Division I East First Rounds trip himself.
Others to Watch: Hristov will try to join Charlotte's Terrell Adams (2018, 2019 and 2021) as the only three-time men's discus victors in conference history. Hristov has stood atop the podium in both 2022 and 2024.
Men's Javelin
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 2 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Ben Shughart (Liberty) – 224-6 (68.43m)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Ahmed Magour (Kennesaw State) – 215-8 (65.75m)
Meet Record: 254-4 (77.53m) by John Ampomah (Middle Tennessee) in 2016
Liberty Record: 234-11 (71.61m) by Steve Feister in 2016
2025 Leader: Cole Crkvenac (FIU) – 230-7 (70.28m)
Liberty Entrants: Ethan Mylin, Gabriel Willis, Hunter Bleam and Daniel Van Duren
Liberty Outlook: Liberty's Ethan Mylin, seeded No. 5 at 197-8, is hoping for a reprise of 2023. That season, he won the ASUN men's javelin title with a personal-best 215-2 heave that sent him to the NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round meet. Mylin's ASUN crown was one of Liberty's eight men's javelin conference titles in the last nine seasons, spanning three conferences. Ben Shughart will not be back to defend his 2024 CUSA victory on Sunday due to injury. The javelin will mark the 12th event of the meet for decathletes Hunter Bleam and Gabriel Willis.
Others to Watch: The CUSA's top two performances of 2025 belong to FIU's Cole Crkvenac (230-7) and Louisiana Tech's Zachary Drake (209-2). However, neither has competed in more than a month. If neither of them can compete, FIU's Blake Orr could be the favorite. He reached a season-best 207-4 at the East Coast Relays to top conference rivals Aidan Boyd of Kennesaw State and Mylin head-to-head. FIU has never won this event at the CUSA meet.
Men's Hammer
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 5 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: John Hicks (Liberty) – 215-11 (65.81m)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Zachary Peterson (Kennesaw State) – 201-7 (61.44m)
Meet Record: 225-11 (68.86m) by Steffen Nerdal (Memphis) in 2010
Liberty Record: 222-4 (67.76m) by Jon Hart in 2008
2025 Indoor Champion (Weight): Kellen Kimes (Liberty) – 68-7.75 (20.92m)
2025 Leader: Kellen Kimes (Liberty) – 219-5 (66.87m)
Liberty Entrants: Kellen Kimes
Liberty Outlook: The Flames' John Hicks has graduated after an outstanding 2024 season which saw him win the CUSA title and qualify for the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships for the first time. But former teammate Kellen Kimes, who placed third at this meet as a freshman last season, has quickly taken the mantle as a men's hammer standout. Kimes' top mark of 219-5 tops the CUSA performance list by 10 feet, ranks No. 10 in the East Region and is knocking on the door of Jon Hart's program record (222-4), which has stood for 17 years.
Others to Watch: WKU's Kaison Barton, who has placed fifth and sixth in the last two CUSA men's hammer competitions, enters as the No. 2 seed with a mark of 209-7. He will attempt to earn his team's first-ever CUSA men's hammer crown.
Men's Decathlon
Event Schedule: Day One – Begins Friday at 10:30 a.m. Eastern; Day Two – Begins Saturday at 10 a.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Anthony Bryan (Liberty) – 6,533
Meet Record: 8,011 by Jack Turner (UTSA) in 2023
Liberty Record: 7,800 by Brandon Hoskins in 2008
2025 Indoor Champion (Heptathlon): Gabriel Willis (Liberty) – 5,421
2025 Leader: Joey Raybourne (WKU) – 5,474
Liberty Entrants: Hunter Bleam, Samuel O'Regan, Daniel Van Duren and Gabriel Willis
Liberty Outlook: Although no Flames have completed a decathlon this season, Liberty boasts significant point potential here. Daniel Van Duren claimed the 2023 ASUN decathlon title, one of three straight conference decathlon championships Liberty has earned. Gabriel Willis is coming off a CUSA heptathlon crown during the indoor season, leading a 1-2-3-4 Flames sweep along with the team's other three decathlon entrants in Murfreesboro (Van Duren, Hunter Bleam and Samuel O'Regan).
Others to Watch: UTEP's Oleksandr Blonskyi was a close second to Liberty's Anthony Bryan during the 2024 CUSA decathlon competition and could battle for the Miners' first CUSA triumph in this event.
Women's 100-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 8:45 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 8:05 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Niesha Burgher (UTEP) – 11.06 (Second in a row)
Meet Record: 11.06 by Niesha Burgher (UTEP) in 2024
Liberty Record: 11.23 by Isis Brooks in 2023
2025 Indoor Champion (60 Meters): Niesha Burgher (UTEP) – 7.31
2025 Leader: Rejoice Sule (UTEP) – 11.28 (Converted)
Liberty Entrants: Reese Webster and Akilah Lewis
Liberty Outlook: The second-fastest women's 100 runner in program history, Reese Webster is seeking her second career conference title in the event. She raced to the 2023 CAA 100 victory as a freshman at Elon in 2023 before placing third in the CUSA final in 2024. Webster enters the week seeded third at 11.40. First-year Lady Flame Akilah Lewis could also contend. She came in fourth in the Big Ten 100 final in 2023 for Minnesota and has run 11.20 during her career.
Others to Watch: Top seed Rejoice Sule (altitude converted 11.28) placed second to UTEP teammate Niesha Burgher last year as a freshman. Meanwhile, No. 2 seed Rajer Gurode of Sam Houston claimed the 2023 WAC women's 100 crown.
Women's 200-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Saturday at 8:40 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 8:50 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Niesha Burgher (UTEP) – 22.44
Meet Record: 22.44 by Niesha Burgher (UTEP) in 2024
Liberty Record: 23.09 by Isis Brooks in 2023
2025 Indoor Champion: Niesha Burgher (UTEP) – 22.73
2025 Leader: Rejoice Sule (UTEP) and Reese Webster (Liberty) – 23.14
Liberty Entrants: Iyana Sherard and Akilah Lewis
Liberty Outlook: Reese Webster is tied for CUSA's fastest 200 time of the season (23.14) and finished second a year ago. However, she will focus on other events this week. That leaves breakthrough performer Iyana Sherard as Liberty's top entrant at 23.84. After entering the year with a 25.29 personal best, Sherard has become the fifth fastest Lady Flame in program history at 23.84 and will race at the conference meet for the first time in her collegiate career. Akilah Lewis has also broken 24.00 during her career (23.86) and is another of the program-record eight Lady Flames who have dipped under 25.00 this season.
Others to Watch: Top seed Rejoice Sule of UTEP (23.14) placed third in this event in 2024. Jhana Downie of New Mexico State, seeded third at 23.39, was the 2023 WAC victor in the outdoor 200.
Women's 400-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 8:10 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 7:50 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Osaretin Usenbor (Louisiana Tech) – 53.92
Meet Record: 51.74 by Ebonie Floyd (Houston) in 2007
Liberty Record: 53.28 by Ty'Asia Dansbury in 2019
2025 Indoor Champion: Osaretin Usenbor (Louisiana Tech) – 53.49
2025 Leader: Jamara Patterson (Louisiana Tech) – 52.66
Liberty Entrants: Mahogany Mobley and Iyana Sherard
Liberty Outlook: The Lady Flames have not recorded a top-three finish in an outdoor conference women's 400 final since 2019 (Ty'Asia Dansbury – ASUN title), and it will be difficult to do so on Sunday. Kentucky transfer Mahogany Mobley has clocked a personal-best 55.19 this season but is seeded only No. 16.
Others to Watch: Louisiana Tech sophomore Jamara Patterson is the top seed at 52.66, but it is her teammate and classmate (No. 2 seed Osaretin Usenbor – 52.71 season best) who is the defending indoor and outdoor champion in this event. No one else in the field has run within a second of the Bulldogs' dynamic duo this season. Jhana Downie of New Mexico State raced to the 2023 WAC women's 400 title but is seeded only No. 10 this season.
Women's 800-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Prelims – Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 8:20 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Kate Goodyear (Liberty) – 2:08.54
Meet Record: 2:04.54 by Abike Egbeniyi (Middle Tennessee) in 2019
Liberty Record: 2:04.46 by Kate Goodyear in 2024
2025 Indoor Champion: Emma Sullivan (Kennesaw State) – 2:03.84
2025 Leader: Emma Sullivan (Kennesaw State) – 2:02.45
Liberty Entrants: Kate Goodyear, Allie Zealand and Jessica Palisca
Liberty Outlook: If Kate Goodyear can defend her CUSA women's 800 championship from El Paso, she would become the first Lady Flame to win in back-to-back years since Meghan Burggraf (2010 and 2011 – Big South). She would also bookend her collegiate career with outdoor conference titles in the two-lapper, having started things out in 2021 by winning the outdoor MAAC 800 for Monmouth. Goodyear and teammates Jessica Palisca and Allie Zealand produced a 3-4-5 CUSA indoor finish in this event.
Others to Watch: The two runners who defeated Goodyear in the indoor 800 final (champion Emma Sullivan of Kennesaw State and runner-up Privillege Chikara of Middle Tennessee) are seeded 1-2 outdoors. Sullivan will aim to become the fourth straight CUSA indoor victor to also collect the outdoor title at 800 meters (including Goodyear's CUSA indoor/outdoor sweep in 2023).
Women's 1,500-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 7 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 7:15 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Odilia Jepchumba (Middle Tennessee) – 4:27.31
Meet Record: 4:14.42 by Grace Forbes (Rice) in 2021
Liberty Record: 4:14.71 by Heather Sagan in 2002
2025 Indoor Champion (Mile): Allie Zealand (Liberty) – 4:41.96
2025 Leader: Allie Zealand (Liberty) – 4:14.84
Liberty Entrants: Allie Zealand and Marie Hostetler
Liberty Outlook: Liberty's last women's 1,500 conference champion was a freshman (current assistant Calli Doan – 2019 ASUN), and another talented freshman (Allie Zealand) will try to match that feat in Murfreesboro. She is seeded No. 1 at 4:14.84, a time which is just off her mother and coach's (Heather Sagan Zealand) long-standing program record of 4:14.71 from 2002. Zealand and teammate Marie Hostetler placed 1-2 in the CUSA mile final indoors earlier this year. They are two of three Lady Flames ranked among CUSA's top eight this season (also Kate Goodyear).
Others to Watch: Kennesaw State also features three of the conference's eight fastest women's 1,500 runners this year (Emma Sullivan, Emma Ferguson and Natalie Cummings), and that doesn't include third-place indoor miler Akshana. Middle Tennessee's Odilia Jepchumba won this event as a freshman in 2024 but has yet to contest a 1,500 this season. First-year New Mexico State runner Rachel O'Brien has enjoyed a breakout season, including a sterling 4:14.86 effort at the Bryan Clay Invitational.
Women's 3,000-Meter Steeplechase
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Calli Doan (Liberty) – 10:56.69
Meet Record: 10:00.77 by Brianna Dahm (Marquette) in 2002
Liberty Record: 9:49.54 by Calli Doan in 2024
2025 Leader: Madison Seiler (Kennesaw State) – 10:07.00
Liberty Entrants: Katrina Schlenker, Marie Hostetler, Katie Sigerud, Sophia Park and Raini Mayo
Liberty Outlook: The women's steeplechase was a key event in the Lady Flames' CUSA team title pursuit a year ago, as a 1-2 finish by Calli Doan and Katrina Schlenker headlined a 25-point haul. Schlenker (10:20.22) and first-year steeplechaser Marie Hostetler (10:20.38) are the two fastest runners in program history not named Doan and will both move on to the NCAA Division I East First Rounds meet. Sophia Park came in fifth as a freshman a year ago, while Raini Mayo has lowered the program freshman record to 11:00.47.
Others to Watch: Kennesaw State is also strong in this event, led by Madison Seiler. Last year's fourth-place ASUN finisher owns the top seed at 10:07.00. The super-talented Odilia Jepchumba has shown ability in this event, posting a 10:29.91 personal best after just two attempts.
Women's 5,000-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 9:05 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Calli Doan (Liberty) – 16:39.39
Meet Record: 16:05.29 by Elinor Kirk (UAB) in 2014
Liberty Record: 15:48.63 by Ednah Kurgat in 2016
2025 Indoor Champion: Adelyn Fairley (Liberty) – 16:50.39
2025 Leader: Adelyn Fairley (Liberty) – 15:57.55
Liberty Entrants: Adelyn Fairley, Ava Gordon, Isabela Ross, Ryann Aycock, Katrina Schlenker, Molly Lashley, Raini Mayo, Sophia Park and Katie Sigerud
Liberty Outlook: Adelyn Fairley has fared well in conference 5K finals throughout her career, winning five titles (2021 ASUN indoor, 2021 ASUN outdoor, 2022 ASUN indoor, 2024 CUSA indoor and 2025 CUSA indoor). The top seed at 15:57.55, Fairley will try to become the first CUSA women's runner to sweep the indoor and outdoor 5K crowns since 2017 (UTEP's Winny Koech). Teammate Ava Gordon has only run one track 5K during her career (Bryan Clay Invitational), but her 16:25.51 performance ranks No. 4 on this year's CUSA chart and in program history.
Others to Watch: Host Middle Tennessee boasts the three fastest returnees from a year ago, in runner-up Odilia Jepchumba, third-place Sandra Maiyo and fourth-place Faith Nyathi. Nyathi claimed the 2023 CUSA outdoor 5K crown.
Women's 10,000-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 9:20 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Sandra Maiyo (UTEP) – 35:25.01
Meet Record: 33:50.06 by Grace Forbes (Rice) in 2021
Liberty Record: 33:29.29 by Adelyn Fairley in 2025
2025 Leader: Adelyn Fairley (Liberty) – 33:29.29
Liberty Entrants: Adelyn Fairley, Isabela Ross, Molly Lashley and Ryann Aycock
Liberty Outlook: Adelyn Fairley is the No. 1 seed by a wide margin after lowering her own Liberty women's 10K standard to 33:29.29 at the Bryan Clay Invitational. The only time she has run the 10K at a conference meet (2023 ASUN), she has emerged victorious. Teammate Isabela Ross is seeded No. 5 at 35:40.61 but owns a personal best of 34:33.29 which dates back to her time at Southern Miss.
Others to Watch: Somewhat remarkably, Middle Tennessee has never won the CUSA women's 10K. However, 2024 champion Sandra Maiyo has since transferred from UTEP to the Blue Raiders and is seeded No. 2 at 34:18.04.
Women's 100-Meter Hurdles
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 7:30 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 7:35 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Marissa Simpson (UTEP) – 12.75 (Second in a row)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Olivia Brown (Kennesaw State) – 13.72
Meet Record: 12.80 by Tobi Amusan (UTEP) in 2017
Liberty Record: 13.09 by Indea Cartwright in 2025
2025 Indoor Champion (60 Hurdles): Marissa Simpson (UTEP) – 8.14
2025 Leader: Marissa Simpson (UTEP) – 12.85 (Converted)
Liberty Entrants: Indea Cartwright
Liberty Outlook: Liberty's Indea Cartwright is seeded No. 2, thanks to her program-record 13.09 effort from the East Coast Relays. Her previous record of 13.11 came during last year's CUSA final but was only good for fourth place. Liberty has not claimed a women's 100 hurdles conference title since 2019 (Jada Thomas – ASUN).
Others to Watch: It will be difficult for Cartwright to win on Sunday, as she will line up against All-American Marissa Simpson of UTEP. Simpson currently ranks No. 7 nationally with an altitude-adjusted time of 12.85. She is favored to win her third straight CUSA women's 100 hurdles crown, something which has not been accomplished since 2010-12 (UCF's Jackie Coward).
Women's 400-Meter Hurdles
Event Schedule: Prelims – Saturday at 8:05 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 8:35 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Terice Steen (New Mexico State) – 57.90
Defending Champion (ASUN): Amelia Coker (Kennesaw State) – 1:01.31
Meet Record: 56.89 by Faith Roberson (UTSA) in 2021
Liberty Record: 58.46 by Kimone Green in 2018
2025 Leader: Loubna Benhadja (UTEP) – 57.27
Liberty Entrants: None
Liberty Outlook: This is the only event Liberty will not enter at the meet, as no Lady Flame has competed in the 400 hurdles all season.
Others to Watch: UTEP's Loubna Benhadja will try to break through for her first CUSA title after placing second in this event in both 2023 and 2024. She is the top seed at 57.27. Jacksonville State's Hailey Tucker, last year's fourth-place finisher, is Benhadja's closest CUSA competitor this year at 58.64.
Women's 4 x 100 Relay
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 7 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: UTEP – 44.68
Meet Record: 43.42 by UCF in 2011 and 2012
Liberty Record: 44.61 in 2025
2025 Leader: UTEP – 43.72
Liberty Outlook: A year ago, Akilah Lewis ran on Trinidad and Tobago's women's 4 x 100 relay squad in the Paris Olympics after Reese Webster helped her squad punch that ticket to France. With those two countrywomen running the straightaways, the Lady Flames clocked a program-record time of 44.61 at the Florida Relays. In the process, they took down the mark of 44.80 which had stood since 2018, the last time Liberty won a 4 x 100 conference title (Big South). Lewis has now helped three different schools clock program records in this event (also Minnesota and Ole Miss), while being part of Ole Miss' 2024 NCAA title-winning quartet. The Lady Flames would like to improve their time and their chances of NCAA Division I East First Rounds qualification.
Others to Watch: UTEP is the defending champion and top seed at 43.72, giving the Miners a shot to claim CUSA's first back-to-back victories in this event since UCF won three in a row (2010-12).
Women's 4 x 400 Relay
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 9:50 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: UTEP – 3:35.68 (Second in a row)
Meet Record: 3:34.76 by Charlotte in 2019
Liberty Record: 3:33.20 in 2019
2025 Indoor Champion: Louisiana Tech – 3:37.63
2025 Leader: Louisiana Tech – 3:33.86
Liberty Outlook: The Lady Flames clocked 3:41.68 at the Florida Relays, good for No. 6 in program history but only No. 5 in CUSA this year.
Others to Watch: The 4 x 400 relay is likely to come down to the only two CUSA squads to break 3:40 this season, indoor champion Louisiana Tech (3:33.86) and two-time defending outdoor champion UTEP (3:37.56). Louisiana Tech has not won this event outdoors in a decade, while UTEP will look to join Tulane (1999-2001) as the only teams to claim three consecutive CUSA 4 x 400 titles.
Women's Long Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 3 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Lakesha Smith (Middle Tennessee) – 19-11 (6.07m)
Meet Record: 22-7.75 (6.90m) by Blessing Okagbare (UTEP) in 2009
Liberty Record: 20-8 (6.30m) by Ayanna Johnson in 2022
2025 Indoor Champion: Rachel Swain (Kennesaw State) – 20-1 (6.12m)
2025 Leader: Nia Thompson (Sam Houston) – 20-1 (6.12m)
Liberty Entrants: Paige Greenhagel
Liberty Outlook: Paige Greenhagel is coming off a personal-best 18-10 long jump effort at the Liberty Twilight Qualifier, which has her seeded No. 7. However, her long jump competition in Murfreesboro will come near the end of her first day of heptathlon competition on Friday. As a result, it will be challenging to end the Lady Flames' title drought in the outdoor women's long jump. Danielle McNaney's 2003 Big South victory is Liberty's most recent outdoor title in this event.
Others to Watch: Kennesaw State's Rachel Swain and Sam Houston freshman Nia Thompson went 1-2 in the CUSA indoor women's long jump competition and are the only two jumpers to land past six meters outdoors. Thompson owns the conference's top outdoor mark of 2025 at 20-1, followed by Swain at 19-10.25.
Women's Triple Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 6 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Viktoria Rusnakova (Middle Tennessee) – 41-5 (12.62m)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Tayla Moreland (Kennesaw State) – 40-4.75 (12.31m)
Meet Record: 46-0.5 (14.03m) by Ganna Demydova (Southern Miss) in 2012
Liberty Record: 42-6 (12.95m) by Makenzy Mizera in 2021
2025 Indoor Champion: Danielle McGonigle (FIU) – 41-1.5 (12.53m)
2025 Leader: Danielle McGonigle (FIU) and Oghenefejiro Praise (UTEP) – 41-0.25 (12.50m)
Liberty Entrants: Kacy Cox
Liberty Outlook: Liberty's Kacy Cox triple jumped a personal-best 40-1.25 at the Virginia Challenge, ranking No. 4 in CUSA this season and No. 8 all-time for the Lady Flames. She will look to punctuate her collegiate career with her first all-conference showing in the triple jump. Cox previously stood on the podium for the ASUN high jump in 2023, tying for third place indoors.
Others to Watch: Indoor champion Danielle McGonigle of FIU and UTEP's Oghenefejiro Praise share CUSA's best mark of the season at 41-0.25. FIU has never won this event outdoors, while Praise will chase UTEP's first outdoor triple jump title since 2014.
Women's High Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: A'Reil Williams (Louisiana Tech) – 5-9.25 (1.76m)
Meet Record: 6-3.5 (1.92m) by Gaelle Niare (SMU) in 2006
Liberty Record: 5-10 (1.78m) by Kena Butts in 2005
2025 Indoor Champion: Luca Keszthelyi (FIU) – 5-8.5 (1.74m)
2025 Leader: Amaya Biene-Aime (FIU) – 5-10 (1.78m)
Liberty Entrants: Meredith Engle, Eva Whiteman and Patasha Bryan
Liberty Outlook: Eva Whiteman enjoyed her biggest collegiate highlight to date in this event a year ago, clearing 5-8 for second place. She is back in Saturday evening's competition along with a pair of talented heptathletes (Meredith Engle and Patasha Bryan).
Others to Watch: FIU freshmen swept the top three places in the indoor high jump competition, including Luca Keszthelyi (first place), Amaya Bien-Aime (second) and Gabrielle Flores (third), while Louisiana Tech's A'reil Williams captured the 2024 outdoor title as a freshman. Bien-Aime enters as the top seed (5-10), leading the charge for the Panthers' first outdoor high jump victory since 2018. Meanwhile, Williams will look to become the first back-to-back high jump titlist since 2016-18 (FIU's Clarissa Cutliff).
Women's Pole Vault
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 6 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Nicole Janse Van Rensburg (FIU) – 13-10 (4.22m)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Lilly Chouinard (Kennesaw State) – 12-0.5 (3.67m)
Meet Record: 14-3.25 (4.35m) by Filippa Miller (FIU) in 2023
Liberty Record: 14-3.25 (4.35m) by Andrea Wildrick in 2002
2025 Indoor Champion: Nicole Janse Van Rensburg (FIU) – 13-7.25 (4.15m)
2025 Leader: Alla Parnov (UTEP) – 13-9.25 (4.20m)
Liberty Entrants: Mia Bowers, Katie Urbine and Emory Pafford
Liberty Outlook: All-American Katie Urbine seeks her first CUSA pole vault title and also needs to improve upon her 13-0.25 season best to return to the NCAA Division I East First Rounds meet. Teammate Mia Bowers will look to add to her career total of three all-conference finishes (two ASUN, one CUSA). She came in third indoors this season.
Others to Watch: In the absence of reigning indoor and outdoor victor Nicole Janse Van Rensburg of FIU, Alla Parnov has stepped up as a favorite to win UTEP's first CUSA outdoor women's pole vault title. The 2024 outdoor runner-up enters with the top seed at 13-9.25 but only tied for sixth place indoors. This is one of Jacksonville State's strongest events, with Kayley Stanley, Savannah Yates and Lennon Ibsen ranked among CUSA's top seven.
Women's Shot Put
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 4 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Rebecca Green (New Mexico State) – 54-3.75 (16.55m)
Meet Record: 62-2.25 (18.95m) by KeAyla Dove (North Texas) in 2023
Liberty Record: 53-0.75 (16.17m) by Naomi Mojica in 2021
2025 Indoor Champion: Rebecca Green (New Mexico State) – 54-4.5 (16.57m)
2025 Leader: Bethany Tate (Liberty) – 49-9.25 (15.17m)
Liberty Entrants: Bethany Tate, Meredith Engle, Tabby DeJong and Sofia Mojica
Liberty Outlook: Freshman Bethany Tate placed just sixth in the CUSA women's shot put indoors but has made great strides outdoors. She comes in as the top seed at 49-9.25 and will try to join program greats Mychelle Cumings (2012 Big South) and Naomi Mojica (2018 Big South) as Liberty freshmen to win this event outdoors as freshmen. Tate is also hovering on the bubble for NCAA Division I East First Rounds qualification.
Others to Watch: UTEP's Esther Osisike ranks as the co-favorite with a season best of 49-7.75 that is just off Tate's top mark. She was this year's indoor runner-up and placed fourth outdoors at her home facility last season. The Miners have never claimed a CUSA outdoor women's shot put title. New Mexico State's Rebecca Green is not back to defend her title, but former teammates Alesha Lane and Kamryn Cadle both figure to contend.
Women's Discus
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Michaelle Valentin (FIU) – 185-10 (56.64m)
Meet Record: 191-9 (58.44m) by Dayana Octavian (South Florida) in 2004
Liberty Record: 179-6 (54.71m) by Chelsea Igberaese in 2019
2025 Leader: Michaelle Valentin (FIU) – 204-0 (62.17m)
Liberty Entrants: Sofia Mojica and Bethany Tate
Liberty Outlook: The Lady Flames' Sofia Mojica (161-8) and Bethany Tate (160-5) enter as the No. 5 and No. 6 seeds, respectively. They have both been flirting with the 50-meter arc this season, a mark which would put them in the mix for NCAA Division I East First Rounds berths. Mojica came in third in the 2022 ASUN women's discus, while Tate is chasing Mychelle Cumings's Liberty freshman record of 167-0 from 2012.
Others to Watch: Defending champion Michaelle Valentin of FIU has thrown 204-0 this season, topping the CUSA performance list by 28 feet and sitting No. 4 nationally. She is a heavy favorite to become the first CUSA women's discus thrower to repeat her title since 2012 and 2013 (Rice's Sharae Robinson).
Women's Javelin
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at Noon Eastern
Defending Champion: Arianne Morais (UTEP) – 185-5 (56.53m) (Second in a row)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Kaylee Clark (Kennesaw State) – 159-6 (48.62m)
Meet Record: 185-5 (56.53m) by Arianne Morais (UTEP) in 2024
Liberty Record: 161-8 (49.29m) by Addilae Watts in 2024
2025 Leader: Arndis Oskarsdottir (FIU) – 170-6 (51.97m)
Liberty Entrants: Addilae Watts and Meredith Engle
Liberty Outlook: Liberty's Addilae Watts has performed well at the conference meet during her career. She captured the Horizon League title as a Youngstown State freshman in 2023 and threw a Liberty-record 161-8 for third place in CUSA in 2024. That makes Watts the top returnee from a year ago. She will try to claim Liberty's first conference title since 2021 (Mackenzie Hainley – ASUN). Meanwhile, the javelin will mark Meredith Engle's 10th and final event of the meet.
Others to Watch: With a season best of 161-6, Watts is looking up on the CUSA leaderboard at a pair of FIU Panthers in Arndis Oskarsdottir (170-6) and Hannah Jansen (163-2). Oskarsdottir is the only javelin thrower to defeat Watts in her last four outings, relegating the Lady Flame to second place at the East Coast Relays earlier this month. Oskarsdottir is the second-ranked freshman in the East Region.
Women's Hammer
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 3 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Paola Bueno (Liberty) – 208-7 (63.59m)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Hannah Judge (Kennesaw State) – 183-2 (55.84m)
Meet Record: 227-8 (69.39m) by Tara Simpson-Sullivan (Rice) in 2022
Liberty Record: 212-8 (64.82m) by Paola Bueno in 2025
2025 Indoor Champion (Weight): Michaelle Valentin (FIU) – 68-8.75 (20.95m)
2025 Leader: Michaelle Valentin (FIU) – 221-6 (67.51m)
Liberty Entrants: Paola Bueno
Liberty Outlook: Paola Bueno's CUSA women's hammer title a year ago marked the Lady Flames' fifth conference championship in this event in six seasons, spanning three leagues. (The only non-Liberty champion during that span was Kennesaw State's Kali Terza at the 2023 ASUN Championship). Bueno went on to earn second team All-America honors with an 11th-place national showing. She has pushed her program record to 212-8 this season, good for No. 27 nationally but only No. 3 in CUSA.
Others to Watch: FIU's Michaelle Valentin joined Bueno as a second-team All-American in 2024, placing one spot behind her in 12th. She will try to earn FIU's first CUSA women's hammer title since 2018 after placing third in 2023 and second in 2024. Valentin is CUSA's top seed and sits No. 10 nationally at 221-6. The aforementioned Terza is ranked No. 2 in CUSA and No. 26 nationally with a mark of 213-2. She topped then-freshman Bueno by a foot to capture the 2023 ASUN women's hammer victory.
Women's Heptathlon
Event Schedule: Day One – Begins Friday at 11 a.m. Eastern; Day Two – Begins Saturday at Noon Eastern
Defending Champion: Patasha Bryan (Liberty) – 5,371
Meet Record: 5,832 by Elizabeth Dadzie (Middle Tennessee) in 2017
Liberty Record: 5,504 by Danielle McNaney in 2005
2025 Indoor Champion (Pentathlon): Meredith Engle (Liberty) – 4,196
2025 Leader: Meredith Engle (Liberty) – 5,414
Liberty Entrants: Meredith Engle, Patasha Bryan and Paige Greenhagel
Liberty Outlook: Liberty's Meredith Engle heads to Murfreesboro in a similar situation to the one she faced at the CUSA Indoor Track & Field Championships. She currently ranks No. 23 nationally with her personal-best score of 5,414 from the Duke Invitational but almost assuredly needs to improve that mark in order to claim one of 24 berths to the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Engle scored a program-record 4,196 points in the CUSA pentathlon, punching her NCAA national ticket, where she went on to finish 12th. Engle has won three career conference pentathlon titles (2022 ASUN, 2023 ASUN and 2025 CUSA) but has yet to win a heptathlon gold medal. Patasha Bryan captured the CUSA heptathlon championship in Engle's absence a year ago, completing a brother/sister sweep of the multi-event crowns with brother Anthony in the decathlon. Bryan is seeded No. 2 at 4,919. Engle (5,414) and Bryan (5,378) rank 2-3 in program history behind Danielle McNaney's program record of 5,504 from the 2005 Penn Relays.
Others to Watch: No. 3 seed Cayla Johnson of Jacksonville State (4,847 points) earned the 2023 OVC heptathlon crown while competing for Tennessee Tech.
The decathlon 100-meter dash will get things started Friday at 10:30 a.m. Eastern, and the meet will wrap up Sunday at 10 p.m. Eastern with the women's 4 x 400 relay.
The Liberty men's team has captured 17 consecutive outdoor conference titles, including a dozen in the Big South (2007-18), four in the ASUN (2019, 2021-23) and one in its CUSA debut in 2024. That marks the longest active NCAA Division I men's outdoor track & field conference championship streak in the nation.
Meanwhile, the Lady Flames will look to make it three straight outdoor titles after closing out their stay in the ASUN Conference with a team championship in 2023 and opening their CUSA tenure with a victory in 2024.
Liberty has won CUSA championships in both women's cross country and women's indoor track & field during the current academic year. If the Lady Flames are victorious this weekend, Liberty would complete its first women's conference Triple Crown (cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field titles) since 2016-17 (Big South Conference). No CUSA women's program has earned a Triple Crown during a single academic year since 2007-08 (Rice).
This meet, being contested in Murfreesboro for the third time (also 2016 and 2021), will provide athletes with a final opportunity to post qualifying marks for the NCAA Division I East First Rounds. That event will be contested at Visit Jax Track at Hodges Stadium, May 28-31 in Jacksonville, Fla.
How to Follow the Action
Live video streaming will be available on ESPN+ each evening, beginning at 6:45 p.m. Eastern Friday, 7:15 p.m. Eastern Saturday and 6:45 p.m. Eastern Sunday.
Live results will be provided by Delta Timing throughout the meet.
Weather Report
The preliminary forecast for Murfreesboro calls for a high in the low-80s on Friday, upper-70s on Saturday and mid-70s on Sunday. Showers and thunderstorms are possible throughout much of the meet.
Men's Meet Preview
As mentioned previously, the Liberty men's squad is in search of its 18th consecutive outdoor conference title this week. However, the Flames anticipate a considerable challenge from defending ASUN champion Kennesaw State.
The Owls defeated the Flames by 14.5 points at this year's CUSA Indoor Track & Field Championships, halting Liberty's 27-year indoor conference winning streak. The last four CUSA men's indoor track & field team champions have gone on to capture the outdoor title as well.
Liberty boasts the No. 1 seed in the following events this week: 100 (Omari Lewis), 5K (Edwin Kiprop), 400 hurdles (Jacob Torres), 4 x 100 relay, discus (Christian Hicks) and hammer (Kellen Kimes).
Lewis (100) and Nicholas Kiprotich (10K) will aim to successfully defend their CUSA event titles from 2024. Lewis has raced to back-to-back conference 100 championships, also including his ASUN victory in 2023.
Two other Flames (Kimes – weight throw/hammer and Gabriel Willis – heptathlon/decathlon) won CUSA indoor titles this year and will look to return to the top of the podium in the equivalent outdoor events.
Women's Meet Preview
Liberty has won all three women's track & field championship trophies since joining CUSA (2024 indoor, 2024 outdoor and 2025 indoor). The Lady Flames will attempt to become the first back-to-back women's team champions at this meet since UCF won four outdoor championships in succession between 2010-13.
The Lady Flames defeated runner-up Kennesaw State by 28 points indoors this season. The Owls were the most recent team to top Liberty in an outdoor conference championship (2022 ASUN), handing the Lady Flames their only outdoor setback in the last nine seasons (2015-19 and 2021-24).
The Lady Flames own CUSA's top marks this season in the 200 (Reese Webster – tie), 1,500 (Allie Zealand), 5K (Adelyn Fairley), 10K (Fairley), shot put (Bethany Tate) and heptathlon (Meredith Engle).
A trio of Lady Flames are back to defend their 2024 CUSA outdoor event championships, including Kate Goodyear (800), Paola Bueno (hammer) and Patasha Bryan (heptathlon).
Three additional Lady Flames will try to win the outdoor equivalent to their 2025 CUSA indoor event crowns (Zealand – mile/1,500, Fairley – 5K and Engle – pentathlon/heptathlon).
After placing 12th in the pentathlon at the 2025 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships, Engle will attempt to lock in a heptathlon berth at the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships with her performance in Murfreesboro.
Men's 100-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 9 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 8:10 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Omari Lewis (Liberty) – 9.88
Meet Record: 10.04 by Alaba Akintola (Middle Tennessee) in 2022
Liberty Record: 9.88 by Omari Lewis in 2024
2025 Indoor Champion (60 Meters): Chance Cross (Kennesaw State) – 6.61
2025 Leader: Omari Lewis (Liberty) – 10.05
Liberty Entrants: Omari Lewis, Troy McKnight, Revell Webster and Eddy Vu
Liberty Outlook: Liberty has won four straight men's 100 conference titles, a streak which began with Diamantae Griffin's ASUN crown in 2021 and whose most recent entry was Omari Lewis' show-stopping CUSA victory in 2024 in a wind and altitude-aided 9.88. Ranked No. 1 in CUSA and No. 11 nationally at 10.05, Lewis is favored to capture his third consecutive men's 100 championship (also 2023 ASUN). No Liberty Flame has ever raced to three men's 100 conference titles. First-year Flame Troy McKnight is also a past conference champion in this event, claiming the OVC men's 100 crown in 2023 for Little Rock.
Others to Watch: Kennesaw State's Chance Cross was a surprise winner of this year's CUSA indoor 60 title and is the No. 2 seed in the 100 at 10.15. The last three CUSA men's 60 champions have gone on to win the 100 two months later, including Lewis a year ago.
Men's 200-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Saturday at 9 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 8:55 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Xavier Butler (UTEP) – 20.57
Meet Record: 20.28 by Julius Morris (Western Kentucky) in 2017
Liberty Record: 20.38 by Diamantae Griffin in 2022
2025 Indoor Champion: Jayden Jones (Sam Houston) – 20.73
2025 Leader: Jayden Jones (Sam Houston) – 20.47
Liberty Entrants: Omari Lewis, Revell Webster, Elijah Sherard, Troy McKnight and Eddy Vu
Liberty Outlook: Seeded No. 5 at 20.76, Omari Lewis is chasing his first career conference title at 200 meters. He has finished second, third and fourth (twice) but has yet to claim the top step of the podium. Lewis clocked a wind-aided 20.72 for fourth place at this meet a year ago.
Others to Watch: Sam Houston sophomore Jayden Jones owns the No. 1 seed at 20.47 and is the two-time defending CUSA indoor men's 200 champion. However, his teammate Tyriq Brunn is the top returnee from the 2024 outdoor 200 final (second place). Three of the last five CUSA men's 100 champions have proceeded to win the 200 later that day.
Men's 400-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 8:25 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 7:55 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Julio Pacheco Estrada (UTEP) – 46.41
Meet Record: 44.53 by Emmanuel Korir (UTEP) in 2017
Liberty Record: 44.86 by Alejandro Perlaza Zapata in 2018
2025 Indoor Champion: Frank Bradley-Reed (Louisiana Tech) – 46.74
2025 Leader: Frank Bradley-Reed (Louisiana Tech) – 45.98
Liberty Entrants: Elijah Sherard and Simon Lamparelli
Liberty Outlook: Liberty has struggled in the men's 400 outdoors in recent years. Simon Lamparelli finished fourth at the 2024 CUSA outdoor championship as a freshman a year ago, becoming the first Flame to qualify for an outdoor conference final since Michael Rose in 2021 (ASUN). Alejandro Perlaza (2019 ASUN, first place) was the Flames' last outdoor all-conference performer. The tide could be turning, however, as freshman Elijah Sherard and Lamparelli placed 4-5 in the CUSA indoor men's 400 final earlier this year. Sherard's Liberty freshman-record 46.65 effort from the Florida Relays has him seeded No. 4 heading to Murfreesboro. An improvement this week could make Sherard the first Liberty men's 400 runner to qualify for the NCAA Division I East First Rounds meet since Perlaza Zapata in 2019.
Others to Watch: UTEP's Julio Pacheco Estrada will attempt to become the first CUSA runner to win back-to-back men's 400 titles since Houston's Errol Nolan captured three in a row between 2010 and 2012. However, he has only raced once all season and is only seeded ninth at 47.35. Frank Bradley-Reed of Louisiana Tech captured the CUSA indoor title and is the only conference runner to break 46 (45.98) so far during the outdoor campaign. He is favored to earn the Bulldogs' first CUSA outdoor 400 championship.
Men's 800-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Prelims – Saturday at 7:45 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 8:25 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Aron Tanui (UTEP) – 1:54.64
Meet Record: 1:47.48 by Michael Saruni (UTEP) in 2017
Liberty Record: 1:48.26 by Brendan Pitcher in 2024
2025 Indoor Champion: Mackdonald Songok (Middle Tennessee) – 1:50.24
2025 Leader: Mackdonald Songok (Middle Tennessee) – 1:47.96
Liberty Entrants: Brendan Pitcher
Liberty Outlook: Coming off a season-best 1:48.60 effort at the Liberty Twilight Qualifier, Brendan Pitcher is seeded No. 3. He is a two-time indoor conference champion in the 800 (2023 ASUN and 2024 CUSA) but is chasing Liberty's first outdoor crown in this event since 2019 (Michael Todd – ASUN). Pitcher may also need to break his own program record of 1:48.26 from 2024 in order to return to the NCAA Division I East First Rounds meet.
Others to Watch: UTEP (six titles) and Middle Tennessee (four titles) have combined to capture the last 10 CUSA outdoor men's 800 championships, including Aron Tanui's triumph on his home track in 2024. Tanui will try to become the first men's 800 runner to successfully defend his CUSA outdoor championship since 2011 and 2012 (Tulsa's Chris O'Hare). Middle Tennessee freshman Mackdonald Songok raced to the CUSA indoor title and is seeded No. 1 outdoors at 1:47.96. The last CUSA indoor/outdoor men's 800 champion within the same year was UTEP great Michael Saruni in 2017.
Men's 1,500-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 7:15 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 7:25 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Kyle Harkabus (Liberty) – 3:55.06
Meet Record: 3:42.24 by Jacob Choge (Middle Tennessee) in 2021
Liberty Record: 3:40.78 by Kyle Harkabus in 2024
2025 Indoor Champion (Mile): Brian Kiptoo (Middle Tennessee) – 4:04.08
2025 Leader: Edwin Kiprono (Kennesaw State) – 3:43.24
Liberty Entrants: Edwin Kiprop
Liberty Outlook: The Flames' Edwin Kiprop figures to contend in the "metric mile." He placed fourth in this event in 2024 as a freshman and boasts the No. 3 seed in 2025 at 3:45.97. Kiprop will try to make it back-to-back CUSA men's 1,500 victories for Liberty, following Kyle Harkabus' triumph last season.
Others to Watch: Middle Tennessee's Brian Kiptoo is the top returnee from 2024 (second place) and led a 1-2 finish by the Blue Raiders in this season's CUSA indoor men's mile final. However, it is Kennesaw State freshman Edwin Kiprono (3:43.24) who boasts the conference's fastest time of the season by more than two seconds.
Men's 3,000-Meter Steeplechase
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 10 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Carmelo Cannizzaro (Middle Tennessee) – 9:27.37
Meet Record: 8:39.44 by Anthony Rotich (UTEP) in 2013
Liberty Record: 8:32.95 by Felix Kandie in 2021
2025 Leader: Allan Kiplagat (Middle Tennessee) – 8:39.06
Liberty Entrants: Dale Hall, Sean Aiken, Nathan Moore and Ethan Pedersen
Liberty Outlook: Liberty's Dale Hall ran a program freshman record 8:59.36 at the Bryan Clay Invitational, making him one of only three CUSA runners to break 9:00 this season. He will need to run closer to 8:50 if he hopes to qualify for the NCAA Division I East First Rounds meet. Nathan Moore and Ethan Pedersen are both slated to make their steeplechase debuts on Saturday.
Others to Watch: Only seven CUSA men's runners have completed a steeplechase this season, but two of them have run 8:39—Middle Tennessee's Allan Kiplagat (cross country All-American) and Carmelo Cannizzaro (defending CUSA champion). The Blue Raiders finished 1-2-3 in this event at the 2024 CUSA meet.
Men's 5,000-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 9:25 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Brian Kiptoo (Middle Tennessee) – 14:59.88
Meet Record: 13:51.64 by Nick Scudder (Charlotte) in 2023
Liberty Record: 13:20.43 by Josh McDougal in 2007
2025 Indoor Champion: Allan Kiplagat (Middle Tennessee) – 14:17.70
2025 Leader: Edwin Kiprop (Liberty) – 13:52.95
Liberty Entrants: Edwin Kiprop, Jack Cottrell, Nathan Moore and Nicholas Kiprotich
Liberty Outlook: Liberty's Edwin Kiprop is the only CUSA runner to clock a sub-14:00 5K this season, and the sophomore has done so both times he has contested the race. He will chase Liberty's first outdoor conference title in this event since 2021 (Ryan Drew – ASUN).
Others to Watch: The defending CUSA indoor (Allan Kiplagat) and outdoor (Brian Kiptoo) men's 5K champions both hail from Middle Tennessee. Kiptoo will aim to become the first men's 5K runner to claim back-to-back CUSA outdoor crowns since UTEP's Anthony Rotich won three in succession between 2013 and 2015.
Men's 10,000-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 10 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Nicholas Kiprotich (Liberty) – 31:31.77
Meet Record: 28:58.29 by Jacob Choge (Middle Tennessee) in 2021
Liberty Record: 27:08.39 by Sam Chelanga in 2010
2025 Leader: Brian Limo (Kennesaw State) – 29:10.35
Liberty Entrants: Nicholas Kiprotich, Nathan Moore, Ethan Pedersen and Jack Cottrell
Liberty Outlook: The Flames' Nicholas Kiprotich rolled to a 20-second victory in a four-person CUSA men's 10K final in 2024. He will look to become Liberty's first-ever back-to-back men's 10K conference champion.
Others to Watch: Kiprotich is seeded No. 3 at 29:37.60, trailing a pair of Kennesaw State Owls (Brian Limo – 29:10.35 and Collins KipKemboi – 29:24.46). The talented duo gives KSU a good shot at its first men's 10K conference title since 2011 (Nabil Hamid – ASUN).
Men's 110-Meter Hurdles
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 7:50 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 7:40 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Stephen Eloji (Middle Tennessee) – 13.28 (Second in a row)
Meet Record: 13.50 by Stephen Eloji (Middle Tennessee) in 2023
Liberty Record: 13.66 by Prosper Ekporere in 2023
2025 Indoor Champion (60 Hurdles): Jordani Woodley (UTEP) – 7.69
2025 Leader: Oscar Smith (Louisiana Tech) – 13.55
Liberty Entrants: Isaiah Idore and Luke Anderson
Liberty Outlook: The Flames' Isaiah Idore has enjoyed a breakthrough season, climbing to No. 3 in program history with his 14.06 men's 110 hurdles effort at the East Coast Relays. However, he is only seeded No. 7 in one of CUSA's deepest events. Idore will aim to become the third Flame ever to break 14.00 and thus put himself in the running for an NCAA Division I East First Rounds berth.
Others to Watch: Oscar Smith, the top seed at 13.55, will shoot for Louisiana Tech's first CUSA title in this event. No. 2 seed Jordani Woodley of UTEP (13.61) raced to this year's CUSA indoor 60 hurdles crown and was an NCAA Division I national qualifier in the 110 hurdles in 2024. The 110 hurdles could be a big event for Kennesaw State, with four Owls listed among the top eight seeds.
Men's 400-Meter Hurdles
Event Schedule: Prelims – Saturday at 8:20 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 8:40 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Stephen Eloji (Middle Tennessee) – 51.69 (Third in a row)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Sean Dyer (Kennesaw State) – 51.98
Meet Record: 49.82 by Shakeem Smith (UTEP) in 2021
Liberty Record: 50.27 by Rayan Holmes in 2023
2025 Leader: Jacob Torres (Liberty) – 51.68
Liberty Entrants: Jacob Torres, Josh Blalock and Luke Anderson
Liberty Outlook: Within the last two months, Jacob Torres (51.68) and Josh Blalock (51.75) have become the ninth and 10th Liberty Flames ever to break 52.00 in the men's 400 hurdles. They are the only two CUSA runners to do so thus far in 2025, stamping themselves as contenders both for a CUSA title and for a trip to the NCAA Division I East First Rounds meet. Torres raced to a pair of SCIAC 400 hurdles crowns (2022 and 2023) while competing for Occidental.
Others to Watch: Stephen Eloji of Middle Tennessee graduated as the three-time defending CUSA men's 400 hurdles champion, leaving this event a bit more wide open. Louisiana Tech has never won this event at the CUSA meet, but Laeden Tucker was the runner-up to Eloji in 2024 and is seeded No. 3 this year at 52.30. Kennesaw State's Sean Dyer claimed the ASUN men's 400 hurdles victory a year ago.
Men's 4 x 100 Relay
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 7:05 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Louisiana Tech – 40.42
Meet Record: 38.89 by Southern Miss in 2018
Liberty Record: 39.08 in 2022
2025 Leader: Liberty – 39.42
Liberty Outlook: Liberty's men's 4 x 100 relay grouping of Eddy Vu, Troy McKnight, Revell Webster and Omari Lewis clocked a CUSA-leading time of 39.42 back in March, becoming the second-fastest quartet in program history. However, they have contested the event only once since then.
Others to Watch: The Flames are one of four CUSA 4 x 100 relay units to break 40 seconds this season, also including Kennesaw State (39.46), Sam Houston (39.55) and defending champion Louisiana Tech (39.67). The last team to win back-to-back CUSA men's 4 x 100 relay championships was WKU (three in a row between 2015-17).
Men's 4 x 400 Relay
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 10 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Louisiana Tech – 3:10.30
Defending Champion (ASUN): Kennesaw State – 3:09.57
Meet Record: 3:04.50 by Western Kentucky in 2019
Liberty Record: 3:07.28 in 1997
2025 Indoor Champion: Louisiana Tech – 3:11.03
2025 Leader: Louisiana Tech – 3:06.16
Liberty Outlook: The Flames' team of Simon Lamparelli, Revell Webster, Elijah Sherard and Jacob Torres posted a time of 3:10.32 at the Florida Relays. Liberty's fastest 4 x 400 relay time since 2019 earned CUSA's No. 3 seed and gives the Flames a good chance to improve upon last year's fifth-place showing.
Others to Watch: Louisiana Tech is the team to beat. The Bulldogs are the reigning CUSA indoor and outdoor 4 x 400 relay titlists and own the conference's top time by three seconds at 3:06.16.
Men's Long Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 5 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Mateo Smith (Louisiana Tech) – 24-7 (7.49m)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Jeremiah Sims (Kennesaw State) – 24-3.5 (7.40m)
Meet Record: 26-2.75 (7.99m) by Desmond Mobley (Western Kentucky) in 2018
Liberty Record: 25-6.75 (7.79m) by Chad Wilson in 2004
2025 Indoor Champion: Kaelen Mitchell (Kennesaw State) – 24-7 (7.49m)
2025 Leader: Kaelen Mitchell (Kennesaw State) – 25-0.75 (7.64m)
Liberty Entrants: Markus White
Liberty Outlook: First-year Flame Markus White is seeded No. 4 in the men's long jump at 24-6.25. That has him in contention for both the Flames' first outdoor conference title in this event since 2022 (Quinten Clay – ASUN) and a trip to the NCAA Division I East First Rounds meet. White was a two-time NCAA Division II men's long jump All-American in 2024 while at Virginia State.
Others to Watch: Kennesaw State's Kaelen Mitchell jumped to the CUSA indoor title and is the top outdoor performer so far in 2025 at 25-0.75. The last three CUSA indoor men's long jump champions have gone on to prevail outdoors too. Mitchell placed second to teammate Jeremiah Sims at last year's ASUN meet. WKU freshman Sterling Weldon (24-11.25 season best) could also contend for his team's first CUSA title in this event since 2018.
Men's Triple Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 8 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Jakub Belik (UTEP) – 48-9.5 (14.87m)
Meet Record: 52-10 (16.10m) by Raphel Martin (Charlotte) in 2000
Liberty Record: 52-1.25 (15.88m) by Clarence Powell in 2010
2025 Indoor Champion: Justin Campbell (Kennesaw State) – 51-1.5 (15.88m)
2025 Leader: Lloyd Hill Jr. (Kennesaw State) – 50-8.25 (15.45m)
Liberty Entrants: Joshua Smith and Markus White
Liberty Outlook: Liberty's Joshua Smith, the No. 2 seed at 50-8, has won two indoor conference championships in the men's triple jump (2023 ASUN and 2024 CUSA) but is seeking the Flames' first outdoor victory in this event since 2018 (Darrel Jones – Big South).
Others to Watch: This is another strong event for Kennesaw State, as the Owls boast the top seed (Lloyd Hill Jr. – 50-8.25) and the CUSA indoor champion (Justin Campbell). Hill Jr. scored in this event at the 2023 Big Ten outdoor meet for Purdue (eighth place). UTEP's Jakub Belik claimed the 2024 CUSA outdoor victory on his home track, but the high jump ace has not competed in the triple jump since.
Men's High Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Jakub Belik (UTEP) – 7-0.5 (2.15m) (Second in a row)
Meet Record: 7-6.5 (2.30m) by Mickael Hanany (UTEP) in 2006 and 2008
Liberty Record: 7-1 (2.16m) by Kennedy Sauder in 2022, Kyle Wheeler in 2012 and Matt Parker in 2009
2025 Indoor Champion: Jakub Belik (UTEP) – 7-0.5 (2.15m)
2025 Leader: Jakub Belik (UTEP) – 7-1.75 (2.18m)
Liberty Entrants: Gabriel Willis and Hunter Bleam
Liberty Outlook: No Liberty Flame has high jumped over 6-2 this season. However, Gabriel Willis owns a 6-11.75 personal best and was the CUSA indoor runner-up.
Others to Watch: UTEP's Jakub Belik is a considerable favorite to become the first men's high jumper in conference history ever to win three years in a row. His 7-1.75 season best has only been approached by Kennesaw State freshman Kenyatta Bennett (6-11) thus far in 2025. Belik has earned all five CUSA men's high jump crowns since the start of the 2023 indoor season.
Men's Pole Vault
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 6 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Benjamin Carlile (Sam Houston) – 17-1.75 (5.23m)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Simon Seid (Kennesaw State) – 17-7 (5.36m)
Meet Record: 17-9.75 (5.43m) by Alexander Slinkman (Rice) in 2023
Liberty Record: 17-8.5 (5.40m) by Kolby Shepherd in 2012
2025 Indoor Champion: Dylan Truss (Sam Houston) – 16-10.75 (5.15m)
2025 Leader: Simon Seid (Kennesaw State) – 17-2.75 (5.25m)
Liberty Entrants: Todd Benhase and Hunter Flack
Liberty Outlook: Liberty freshman Todd Benhase, who shared second place in the CUSA indoor men's pole vault competition, is tied for CUSA's No. 5 seed outdoors at 16-4.75. After setting the indoor Liberty freshman record at 16-6.75, Benhase is chasing Ander Janes' outdoor freshman mark of 16-7.5 from 2019. That year, Janes vaulted to the ASUN title, and Liberty is still in search of its first outdoor men's pole vault crown since then.
Others to Watch: Kennesaw State's Simon Seid has earned outdoor conference pole vault titles each of the last two years (2023 and 2024 – ASUN) and is this year's top performer by more than six inches at 17-2.75. However, Seid was defeated by Sam Houston's Dylan Truss at the CUSA indoor championship.
Men's Shot Put
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 6 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Warren Barrett (Liberty) – 58-3 (17.75m)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Caleb Hartley (Kennesaw State) – 59-6.25 (18.14m)
Meet Record: 65-9.75 (20.06m) by Richard Garrett (UTSA) in 2014
Liberty Record: 64-9.75 (19.75m) by Kyle Mitchell in 2021
2025 Indoor Champion: Evan Martinez (Kennesaw State) – 55-7.5 (16.95m)
2025 Leader: Evan Martinez (Kennesaw State) – 56-6.75 (17.24m)
Liberty Entrants: Christian Hicks, Jordae Edwards, Trevor Veenstra and Beau Backes
Liberty Outlook: Following the graduation of the Flames' All-American and defending CUSA champion Warren Barrett, the men's shot put has become quite wide open. Three Flames (Christian Hicks, Trevor Veenstra and Jordae Edwards) are part of a grouping where the No. 2 through No. 9 seeds are separated by just 10.25 inches. Veenstra, Beau Backes and Hicks placed 3-4-7 for the Flames indoors.
Others to Watch: Kennesaw State's Evan Martinez, the CUSA indoor men's shot put champion, is the top performer outdoors by more than a foot at 56-8.75. All three of the podium finishers from last year's men's shot put competition at UTEP have since departed.
Men's Discus
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Aleks Hristov (UTEP) – 183-2 (55.84m)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Anthony Harrison (Kennesaw State) – 181-2 (55.21m)
Meet Record: 195-5 (59.56m) by Sam Welsh (Rice) in 2023
Liberty Record: 204-3 (62.26m) by Clendon Henderson in 2008
2025 Leader: Christian Hicks (Liberty) – 188-3 (57.39m)
Liberty Entrants: Christian Hicks, Beau Backes and Trevor Veenstra
Liberty Outlook: Liberty returns the third (Christian Hicks) and fifth-place (Beau Backes) men's discus finishers from last season, both of whom are bound for the NCAA Division I East First Rounds meet. Hicks owns the top seed at 188-3 and has surpassed the season best of No. 2 seed and defending champion Aleks Hristov of UTEP (183-0) in four different competitions this year. Freshman Trevor Veenstra has made significant improvement this season, going from 151-6 at his season-opening meet to 171-6 at last week's Liberty Twilight Qualifier. He is now knocking on the door of an NCAA Division I East First Rounds trip himself.
Others to Watch: Hristov will try to join Charlotte's Terrell Adams (2018, 2019 and 2021) as the only three-time men's discus victors in conference history. Hristov has stood atop the podium in both 2022 and 2024.
Men's Javelin
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 2 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Ben Shughart (Liberty) – 224-6 (68.43m)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Ahmed Magour (Kennesaw State) – 215-8 (65.75m)
Meet Record: 254-4 (77.53m) by John Ampomah (Middle Tennessee) in 2016
Liberty Record: 234-11 (71.61m) by Steve Feister in 2016
2025 Leader: Cole Crkvenac (FIU) – 230-7 (70.28m)
Liberty Entrants: Ethan Mylin, Gabriel Willis, Hunter Bleam and Daniel Van Duren
Liberty Outlook: Liberty's Ethan Mylin, seeded No. 5 at 197-8, is hoping for a reprise of 2023. That season, he won the ASUN men's javelin title with a personal-best 215-2 heave that sent him to the NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round meet. Mylin's ASUN crown was one of Liberty's eight men's javelin conference titles in the last nine seasons, spanning three conferences. Ben Shughart will not be back to defend his 2024 CUSA victory on Sunday due to injury. The javelin will mark the 12th event of the meet for decathletes Hunter Bleam and Gabriel Willis.
Others to Watch: The CUSA's top two performances of 2025 belong to FIU's Cole Crkvenac (230-7) and Louisiana Tech's Zachary Drake (209-2). However, neither has competed in more than a month. If neither of them can compete, FIU's Blake Orr could be the favorite. He reached a season-best 207-4 at the East Coast Relays to top conference rivals Aidan Boyd of Kennesaw State and Mylin head-to-head. FIU has never won this event at the CUSA meet.
Men's Hammer
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 5 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: John Hicks (Liberty) – 215-11 (65.81m)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Zachary Peterson (Kennesaw State) – 201-7 (61.44m)
Meet Record: 225-11 (68.86m) by Steffen Nerdal (Memphis) in 2010
Liberty Record: 222-4 (67.76m) by Jon Hart in 2008
2025 Indoor Champion (Weight): Kellen Kimes (Liberty) – 68-7.75 (20.92m)
2025 Leader: Kellen Kimes (Liberty) – 219-5 (66.87m)
Liberty Entrants: Kellen Kimes
Liberty Outlook: The Flames' John Hicks has graduated after an outstanding 2024 season which saw him win the CUSA title and qualify for the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships for the first time. But former teammate Kellen Kimes, who placed third at this meet as a freshman last season, has quickly taken the mantle as a men's hammer standout. Kimes' top mark of 219-5 tops the CUSA performance list by 10 feet, ranks No. 10 in the East Region and is knocking on the door of Jon Hart's program record (222-4), which has stood for 17 years.
Others to Watch: WKU's Kaison Barton, who has placed fifth and sixth in the last two CUSA men's hammer competitions, enters as the No. 2 seed with a mark of 209-7. He will attempt to earn his team's first-ever CUSA men's hammer crown.
Men's Decathlon
Event Schedule: Day One – Begins Friday at 10:30 a.m. Eastern; Day Two – Begins Saturday at 10 a.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Anthony Bryan (Liberty) – 6,533
Meet Record: 8,011 by Jack Turner (UTSA) in 2023
Liberty Record: 7,800 by Brandon Hoskins in 2008
2025 Indoor Champion (Heptathlon): Gabriel Willis (Liberty) – 5,421
2025 Leader: Joey Raybourne (WKU) – 5,474
Liberty Entrants: Hunter Bleam, Samuel O'Regan, Daniel Van Duren and Gabriel Willis
Liberty Outlook: Although no Flames have completed a decathlon this season, Liberty boasts significant point potential here. Daniel Van Duren claimed the 2023 ASUN decathlon title, one of three straight conference decathlon championships Liberty has earned. Gabriel Willis is coming off a CUSA heptathlon crown during the indoor season, leading a 1-2-3-4 Flames sweep along with the team's other three decathlon entrants in Murfreesboro (Van Duren, Hunter Bleam and Samuel O'Regan).
Others to Watch: UTEP's Oleksandr Blonskyi was a close second to Liberty's Anthony Bryan during the 2024 CUSA decathlon competition and could battle for the Miners' first CUSA triumph in this event.
Women's 100-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 8:45 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 8:05 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Niesha Burgher (UTEP) – 11.06 (Second in a row)
Meet Record: 11.06 by Niesha Burgher (UTEP) in 2024
Liberty Record: 11.23 by Isis Brooks in 2023
2025 Indoor Champion (60 Meters): Niesha Burgher (UTEP) – 7.31
2025 Leader: Rejoice Sule (UTEP) – 11.28 (Converted)
Liberty Entrants: Reese Webster and Akilah Lewis
Liberty Outlook: The second-fastest women's 100 runner in program history, Reese Webster is seeking her second career conference title in the event. She raced to the 2023 CAA 100 victory as a freshman at Elon in 2023 before placing third in the CUSA final in 2024. Webster enters the week seeded third at 11.40. First-year Lady Flame Akilah Lewis could also contend. She came in fourth in the Big Ten 100 final in 2023 for Minnesota and has run 11.20 during her career.
Others to Watch: Top seed Rejoice Sule (altitude converted 11.28) placed second to UTEP teammate Niesha Burgher last year as a freshman. Meanwhile, No. 2 seed Rajer Gurode of Sam Houston claimed the 2023 WAC women's 100 crown.
Women's 200-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Saturday at 8:40 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 8:50 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Niesha Burgher (UTEP) – 22.44
Meet Record: 22.44 by Niesha Burgher (UTEP) in 2024
Liberty Record: 23.09 by Isis Brooks in 2023
2025 Indoor Champion: Niesha Burgher (UTEP) – 22.73
2025 Leader: Rejoice Sule (UTEP) and Reese Webster (Liberty) – 23.14
Liberty Entrants: Iyana Sherard and Akilah Lewis
Liberty Outlook: Reese Webster is tied for CUSA's fastest 200 time of the season (23.14) and finished second a year ago. However, she will focus on other events this week. That leaves breakthrough performer Iyana Sherard as Liberty's top entrant at 23.84. After entering the year with a 25.29 personal best, Sherard has become the fifth fastest Lady Flame in program history at 23.84 and will race at the conference meet for the first time in her collegiate career. Akilah Lewis has also broken 24.00 during her career (23.86) and is another of the program-record eight Lady Flames who have dipped under 25.00 this season.
Others to Watch: Top seed Rejoice Sule of UTEP (23.14) placed third in this event in 2024. Jhana Downie of New Mexico State, seeded third at 23.39, was the 2023 WAC victor in the outdoor 200.
Women's 400-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 8:10 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 7:50 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Osaretin Usenbor (Louisiana Tech) – 53.92
Meet Record: 51.74 by Ebonie Floyd (Houston) in 2007
Liberty Record: 53.28 by Ty'Asia Dansbury in 2019
2025 Indoor Champion: Osaretin Usenbor (Louisiana Tech) – 53.49
2025 Leader: Jamara Patterson (Louisiana Tech) – 52.66
Liberty Entrants: Mahogany Mobley and Iyana Sherard
Liberty Outlook: The Lady Flames have not recorded a top-three finish in an outdoor conference women's 400 final since 2019 (Ty'Asia Dansbury – ASUN title), and it will be difficult to do so on Sunday. Kentucky transfer Mahogany Mobley has clocked a personal-best 55.19 this season but is seeded only No. 16.
Others to Watch: Louisiana Tech sophomore Jamara Patterson is the top seed at 52.66, but it is her teammate and classmate (No. 2 seed Osaretin Usenbor – 52.71 season best) who is the defending indoor and outdoor champion in this event. No one else in the field has run within a second of the Bulldogs' dynamic duo this season. Jhana Downie of New Mexico State raced to the 2023 WAC women's 400 title but is seeded only No. 10 this season.
Women's 800-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Prelims – Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 8:20 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Kate Goodyear (Liberty) – 2:08.54
Meet Record: 2:04.54 by Abike Egbeniyi (Middle Tennessee) in 2019
Liberty Record: 2:04.46 by Kate Goodyear in 2024
2025 Indoor Champion: Emma Sullivan (Kennesaw State) – 2:03.84
2025 Leader: Emma Sullivan (Kennesaw State) – 2:02.45
Liberty Entrants: Kate Goodyear, Allie Zealand and Jessica Palisca
Liberty Outlook: If Kate Goodyear can defend her CUSA women's 800 championship from El Paso, she would become the first Lady Flame to win in back-to-back years since Meghan Burggraf (2010 and 2011 – Big South). She would also bookend her collegiate career with outdoor conference titles in the two-lapper, having started things out in 2021 by winning the outdoor MAAC 800 for Monmouth. Goodyear and teammates Jessica Palisca and Allie Zealand produced a 3-4-5 CUSA indoor finish in this event.
Others to Watch: The two runners who defeated Goodyear in the indoor 800 final (champion Emma Sullivan of Kennesaw State and runner-up Privillege Chikara of Middle Tennessee) are seeded 1-2 outdoors. Sullivan will aim to become the fourth straight CUSA indoor victor to also collect the outdoor title at 800 meters (including Goodyear's CUSA indoor/outdoor sweep in 2023).
Women's 1,500-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 7 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 7:15 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Odilia Jepchumba (Middle Tennessee) – 4:27.31
Meet Record: 4:14.42 by Grace Forbes (Rice) in 2021
Liberty Record: 4:14.71 by Heather Sagan in 2002
2025 Indoor Champion (Mile): Allie Zealand (Liberty) – 4:41.96
2025 Leader: Allie Zealand (Liberty) – 4:14.84
Liberty Entrants: Allie Zealand and Marie Hostetler
Liberty Outlook: Liberty's last women's 1,500 conference champion was a freshman (current assistant Calli Doan – 2019 ASUN), and another talented freshman (Allie Zealand) will try to match that feat in Murfreesboro. She is seeded No. 1 at 4:14.84, a time which is just off her mother and coach's (Heather Sagan Zealand) long-standing program record of 4:14.71 from 2002. Zealand and teammate Marie Hostetler placed 1-2 in the CUSA mile final indoors earlier this year. They are two of three Lady Flames ranked among CUSA's top eight this season (also Kate Goodyear).
Others to Watch: Kennesaw State also features three of the conference's eight fastest women's 1,500 runners this year (Emma Sullivan, Emma Ferguson and Natalie Cummings), and that doesn't include third-place indoor miler Akshana. Middle Tennessee's Odilia Jepchumba won this event as a freshman in 2024 but has yet to contest a 1,500 this season. First-year New Mexico State runner Rachel O'Brien has enjoyed a breakout season, including a sterling 4:14.86 effort at the Bryan Clay Invitational.
Women's 3,000-Meter Steeplechase
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Calli Doan (Liberty) – 10:56.69
Meet Record: 10:00.77 by Brianna Dahm (Marquette) in 2002
Liberty Record: 9:49.54 by Calli Doan in 2024
2025 Leader: Madison Seiler (Kennesaw State) – 10:07.00
Liberty Entrants: Katrina Schlenker, Marie Hostetler, Katie Sigerud, Sophia Park and Raini Mayo
Liberty Outlook: The women's steeplechase was a key event in the Lady Flames' CUSA team title pursuit a year ago, as a 1-2 finish by Calli Doan and Katrina Schlenker headlined a 25-point haul. Schlenker (10:20.22) and first-year steeplechaser Marie Hostetler (10:20.38) are the two fastest runners in program history not named Doan and will both move on to the NCAA Division I East First Rounds meet. Sophia Park came in fifth as a freshman a year ago, while Raini Mayo has lowered the program freshman record to 11:00.47.
Others to Watch: Kennesaw State is also strong in this event, led by Madison Seiler. Last year's fourth-place ASUN finisher owns the top seed at 10:07.00. The super-talented Odilia Jepchumba has shown ability in this event, posting a 10:29.91 personal best after just two attempts.
Women's 5,000-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 9:05 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Calli Doan (Liberty) – 16:39.39
Meet Record: 16:05.29 by Elinor Kirk (UAB) in 2014
Liberty Record: 15:48.63 by Ednah Kurgat in 2016
2025 Indoor Champion: Adelyn Fairley (Liberty) – 16:50.39
2025 Leader: Adelyn Fairley (Liberty) – 15:57.55
Liberty Entrants: Adelyn Fairley, Ava Gordon, Isabela Ross, Ryann Aycock, Katrina Schlenker, Molly Lashley, Raini Mayo, Sophia Park and Katie Sigerud
Liberty Outlook: Adelyn Fairley has fared well in conference 5K finals throughout her career, winning five titles (2021 ASUN indoor, 2021 ASUN outdoor, 2022 ASUN indoor, 2024 CUSA indoor and 2025 CUSA indoor). The top seed at 15:57.55, Fairley will try to become the first CUSA women's runner to sweep the indoor and outdoor 5K crowns since 2017 (UTEP's Winny Koech). Teammate Ava Gordon has only run one track 5K during her career (Bryan Clay Invitational), but her 16:25.51 performance ranks No. 4 on this year's CUSA chart and in program history.
Others to Watch: Host Middle Tennessee boasts the three fastest returnees from a year ago, in runner-up Odilia Jepchumba, third-place Sandra Maiyo and fourth-place Faith Nyathi. Nyathi claimed the 2023 CUSA outdoor 5K crown.
Women's 10,000-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 9:20 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Sandra Maiyo (UTEP) – 35:25.01
Meet Record: 33:50.06 by Grace Forbes (Rice) in 2021
Liberty Record: 33:29.29 by Adelyn Fairley in 2025
2025 Leader: Adelyn Fairley (Liberty) – 33:29.29
Liberty Entrants: Adelyn Fairley, Isabela Ross, Molly Lashley and Ryann Aycock
Liberty Outlook: Adelyn Fairley is the No. 1 seed by a wide margin after lowering her own Liberty women's 10K standard to 33:29.29 at the Bryan Clay Invitational. The only time she has run the 10K at a conference meet (2023 ASUN), she has emerged victorious. Teammate Isabela Ross is seeded No. 5 at 35:40.61 but owns a personal best of 34:33.29 which dates back to her time at Southern Miss.
Others to Watch: Somewhat remarkably, Middle Tennessee has never won the CUSA women's 10K. However, 2024 champion Sandra Maiyo has since transferred from UTEP to the Blue Raiders and is seeded No. 2 at 34:18.04.
Women's 100-Meter Hurdles
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 7:30 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 7:35 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Marissa Simpson (UTEP) – 12.75 (Second in a row)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Olivia Brown (Kennesaw State) – 13.72
Meet Record: 12.80 by Tobi Amusan (UTEP) in 2017
Liberty Record: 13.09 by Indea Cartwright in 2025
2025 Indoor Champion (60 Hurdles): Marissa Simpson (UTEP) – 8.14
2025 Leader: Marissa Simpson (UTEP) – 12.85 (Converted)
Liberty Entrants: Indea Cartwright
Liberty Outlook: Liberty's Indea Cartwright is seeded No. 2, thanks to her program-record 13.09 effort from the East Coast Relays. Her previous record of 13.11 came during last year's CUSA final but was only good for fourth place. Liberty has not claimed a women's 100 hurdles conference title since 2019 (Jada Thomas – ASUN).
Others to Watch: It will be difficult for Cartwright to win on Sunday, as she will line up against All-American Marissa Simpson of UTEP. Simpson currently ranks No. 7 nationally with an altitude-adjusted time of 12.85. She is favored to win her third straight CUSA women's 100 hurdles crown, something which has not been accomplished since 2010-12 (UCF's Jackie Coward).
Women's 400-Meter Hurdles
Event Schedule: Prelims – Saturday at 8:05 p.m. Eastern; Final – Sunday at 8:35 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Terice Steen (New Mexico State) – 57.90
Defending Champion (ASUN): Amelia Coker (Kennesaw State) – 1:01.31
Meet Record: 56.89 by Faith Roberson (UTSA) in 2021
Liberty Record: 58.46 by Kimone Green in 2018
2025 Leader: Loubna Benhadja (UTEP) – 57.27
Liberty Entrants: None
Liberty Outlook: This is the only event Liberty will not enter at the meet, as no Lady Flame has competed in the 400 hurdles all season.
Others to Watch: UTEP's Loubna Benhadja will try to break through for her first CUSA title after placing second in this event in both 2023 and 2024. She is the top seed at 57.27. Jacksonville State's Hailey Tucker, last year's fourth-place finisher, is Benhadja's closest CUSA competitor this year at 58.64.
Women's 4 x 100 Relay
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 7 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: UTEP – 44.68
Meet Record: 43.42 by UCF in 2011 and 2012
Liberty Record: 44.61 in 2025
2025 Leader: UTEP – 43.72
Liberty Outlook: A year ago, Akilah Lewis ran on Trinidad and Tobago's women's 4 x 100 relay squad in the Paris Olympics after Reese Webster helped her squad punch that ticket to France. With those two countrywomen running the straightaways, the Lady Flames clocked a program-record time of 44.61 at the Florida Relays. In the process, they took down the mark of 44.80 which had stood since 2018, the last time Liberty won a 4 x 100 conference title (Big South). Lewis has now helped three different schools clock program records in this event (also Minnesota and Ole Miss), while being part of Ole Miss' 2024 NCAA title-winning quartet. The Lady Flames would like to improve their time and their chances of NCAA Division I East First Rounds qualification.
Others to Watch: UTEP is the defending champion and top seed at 43.72, giving the Miners a shot to claim CUSA's first back-to-back victories in this event since UCF won three in a row (2010-12).
Women's 4 x 400 Relay
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 9:50 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: UTEP – 3:35.68 (Second in a row)
Meet Record: 3:34.76 by Charlotte in 2019
Liberty Record: 3:33.20 in 2019
2025 Indoor Champion: Louisiana Tech – 3:37.63
2025 Leader: Louisiana Tech – 3:33.86
Liberty Outlook: The Lady Flames clocked 3:41.68 at the Florida Relays, good for No. 6 in program history but only No. 5 in CUSA this year.
Others to Watch: The 4 x 400 relay is likely to come down to the only two CUSA squads to break 3:40 this season, indoor champion Louisiana Tech (3:33.86) and two-time defending outdoor champion UTEP (3:37.56). Louisiana Tech has not won this event outdoors in a decade, while UTEP will look to join Tulane (1999-2001) as the only teams to claim three consecutive CUSA 4 x 400 titles.
Women's Long Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 3 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Lakesha Smith (Middle Tennessee) – 19-11 (6.07m)
Meet Record: 22-7.75 (6.90m) by Blessing Okagbare (UTEP) in 2009
Liberty Record: 20-8 (6.30m) by Ayanna Johnson in 2022
2025 Indoor Champion: Rachel Swain (Kennesaw State) – 20-1 (6.12m)
2025 Leader: Nia Thompson (Sam Houston) – 20-1 (6.12m)
Liberty Entrants: Paige Greenhagel
Liberty Outlook: Paige Greenhagel is coming off a personal-best 18-10 long jump effort at the Liberty Twilight Qualifier, which has her seeded No. 7. However, her long jump competition in Murfreesboro will come near the end of her first day of heptathlon competition on Friday. As a result, it will be challenging to end the Lady Flames' title drought in the outdoor women's long jump. Danielle McNaney's 2003 Big South victory is Liberty's most recent outdoor title in this event.
Others to Watch: Kennesaw State's Rachel Swain and Sam Houston freshman Nia Thompson went 1-2 in the CUSA indoor women's long jump competition and are the only two jumpers to land past six meters outdoors. Thompson owns the conference's top outdoor mark of 2025 at 20-1, followed by Swain at 19-10.25.
Women's Triple Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 6 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Viktoria Rusnakova (Middle Tennessee) – 41-5 (12.62m)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Tayla Moreland (Kennesaw State) – 40-4.75 (12.31m)
Meet Record: 46-0.5 (14.03m) by Ganna Demydova (Southern Miss) in 2012
Liberty Record: 42-6 (12.95m) by Makenzy Mizera in 2021
2025 Indoor Champion: Danielle McGonigle (FIU) – 41-1.5 (12.53m)
2025 Leader: Danielle McGonigle (FIU) and Oghenefejiro Praise (UTEP) – 41-0.25 (12.50m)
Liberty Entrants: Kacy Cox
Liberty Outlook: Liberty's Kacy Cox triple jumped a personal-best 40-1.25 at the Virginia Challenge, ranking No. 4 in CUSA this season and No. 8 all-time for the Lady Flames. She will look to punctuate her collegiate career with her first all-conference showing in the triple jump. Cox previously stood on the podium for the ASUN high jump in 2023, tying for third place indoors.
Others to Watch: Indoor champion Danielle McGonigle of FIU and UTEP's Oghenefejiro Praise share CUSA's best mark of the season at 41-0.25. FIU has never won this event outdoors, while Praise will chase UTEP's first outdoor triple jump title since 2014.
Women's High Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: A'Reil Williams (Louisiana Tech) – 5-9.25 (1.76m)
Meet Record: 6-3.5 (1.92m) by Gaelle Niare (SMU) in 2006
Liberty Record: 5-10 (1.78m) by Kena Butts in 2005
2025 Indoor Champion: Luca Keszthelyi (FIU) – 5-8.5 (1.74m)
2025 Leader: Amaya Biene-Aime (FIU) – 5-10 (1.78m)
Liberty Entrants: Meredith Engle, Eva Whiteman and Patasha Bryan
Liberty Outlook: Eva Whiteman enjoyed her biggest collegiate highlight to date in this event a year ago, clearing 5-8 for second place. She is back in Saturday evening's competition along with a pair of talented heptathletes (Meredith Engle and Patasha Bryan).
Others to Watch: FIU freshmen swept the top three places in the indoor high jump competition, including Luca Keszthelyi (first place), Amaya Bien-Aime (second) and Gabrielle Flores (third), while Louisiana Tech's A'reil Williams captured the 2024 outdoor title as a freshman. Bien-Aime enters as the top seed (5-10), leading the charge for the Panthers' first outdoor high jump victory since 2018. Meanwhile, Williams will look to become the first back-to-back high jump titlist since 2016-18 (FIU's Clarissa Cutliff).
Women's Pole Vault
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 6 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Nicole Janse Van Rensburg (FIU) – 13-10 (4.22m)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Lilly Chouinard (Kennesaw State) – 12-0.5 (3.67m)
Meet Record: 14-3.25 (4.35m) by Filippa Miller (FIU) in 2023
Liberty Record: 14-3.25 (4.35m) by Andrea Wildrick in 2002
2025 Indoor Champion: Nicole Janse Van Rensburg (FIU) – 13-7.25 (4.15m)
2025 Leader: Alla Parnov (UTEP) – 13-9.25 (4.20m)
Liberty Entrants: Mia Bowers, Katie Urbine and Emory Pafford
Liberty Outlook: All-American Katie Urbine seeks her first CUSA pole vault title and also needs to improve upon her 13-0.25 season best to return to the NCAA Division I East First Rounds meet. Teammate Mia Bowers will look to add to her career total of three all-conference finishes (two ASUN, one CUSA). She came in third indoors this season.
Others to Watch: In the absence of reigning indoor and outdoor victor Nicole Janse Van Rensburg of FIU, Alla Parnov has stepped up as a favorite to win UTEP's first CUSA outdoor women's pole vault title. The 2024 outdoor runner-up enters with the top seed at 13-9.25 but only tied for sixth place indoors. This is one of Jacksonville State's strongest events, with Kayley Stanley, Savannah Yates and Lennon Ibsen ranked among CUSA's top seven.
Women's Shot Put
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 4 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Rebecca Green (New Mexico State) – 54-3.75 (16.55m)
Meet Record: 62-2.25 (18.95m) by KeAyla Dove (North Texas) in 2023
Liberty Record: 53-0.75 (16.17m) by Naomi Mojica in 2021
2025 Indoor Champion: Rebecca Green (New Mexico State) – 54-4.5 (16.57m)
2025 Leader: Bethany Tate (Liberty) – 49-9.25 (15.17m)
Liberty Entrants: Bethany Tate, Meredith Engle, Tabby DeJong and Sofia Mojica
Liberty Outlook: Freshman Bethany Tate placed just sixth in the CUSA women's shot put indoors but has made great strides outdoors. She comes in as the top seed at 49-9.25 and will try to join program greats Mychelle Cumings (2012 Big South) and Naomi Mojica (2018 Big South) as Liberty freshmen to win this event outdoors as freshmen. Tate is also hovering on the bubble for NCAA Division I East First Rounds qualification.
Others to Watch: UTEP's Esther Osisike ranks as the co-favorite with a season best of 49-7.75 that is just off Tate's top mark. She was this year's indoor runner-up and placed fourth outdoors at her home facility last season. The Miners have never claimed a CUSA outdoor women's shot put title. New Mexico State's Rebecca Green is not back to defend her title, but former teammates Alesha Lane and Kamryn Cadle both figure to contend.
Women's Discus
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Michaelle Valentin (FIU) – 185-10 (56.64m)
Meet Record: 191-9 (58.44m) by Dayana Octavian (South Florida) in 2004
Liberty Record: 179-6 (54.71m) by Chelsea Igberaese in 2019
2025 Leader: Michaelle Valentin (FIU) – 204-0 (62.17m)
Liberty Entrants: Sofia Mojica and Bethany Tate
Liberty Outlook: The Lady Flames' Sofia Mojica (161-8) and Bethany Tate (160-5) enter as the No. 5 and No. 6 seeds, respectively. They have both been flirting with the 50-meter arc this season, a mark which would put them in the mix for NCAA Division I East First Rounds berths. Mojica came in third in the 2022 ASUN women's discus, while Tate is chasing Mychelle Cumings's Liberty freshman record of 167-0 from 2012.
Others to Watch: Defending champion Michaelle Valentin of FIU has thrown 204-0 this season, topping the CUSA performance list by 28 feet and sitting No. 4 nationally. She is a heavy favorite to become the first CUSA women's discus thrower to repeat her title since 2012 and 2013 (Rice's Sharae Robinson).
Women's Javelin
Event Schedule: Final – Sunday at Noon Eastern
Defending Champion: Arianne Morais (UTEP) – 185-5 (56.53m) (Second in a row)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Kaylee Clark (Kennesaw State) – 159-6 (48.62m)
Meet Record: 185-5 (56.53m) by Arianne Morais (UTEP) in 2024
Liberty Record: 161-8 (49.29m) by Addilae Watts in 2024
2025 Leader: Arndis Oskarsdottir (FIU) – 170-6 (51.97m)
Liberty Entrants: Addilae Watts and Meredith Engle
Liberty Outlook: Liberty's Addilae Watts has performed well at the conference meet during her career. She captured the Horizon League title as a Youngstown State freshman in 2023 and threw a Liberty-record 161-8 for third place in CUSA in 2024. That makes Watts the top returnee from a year ago. She will try to claim Liberty's first conference title since 2021 (Mackenzie Hainley – ASUN). Meanwhile, the javelin will mark Meredith Engle's 10th and final event of the meet.
Others to Watch: With a season best of 161-6, Watts is looking up on the CUSA leaderboard at a pair of FIU Panthers in Arndis Oskarsdottir (170-6) and Hannah Jansen (163-2). Oskarsdottir is the only javelin thrower to defeat Watts in her last four outings, relegating the Lady Flame to second place at the East Coast Relays earlier this month. Oskarsdottir is the second-ranked freshman in the East Region.
Women's Hammer
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 3 p.m. Eastern
Defending Champion: Paola Bueno (Liberty) – 208-7 (63.59m)
Defending Champion (ASUN): Hannah Judge (Kennesaw State) – 183-2 (55.84m)
Meet Record: 227-8 (69.39m) by Tara Simpson-Sullivan (Rice) in 2022
Liberty Record: 212-8 (64.82m) by Paola Bueno in 2025
2025 Indoor Champion (Weight): Michaelle Valentin (FIU) – 68-8.75 (20.95m)
2025 Leader: Michaelle Valentin (FIU) – 221-6 (67.51m)
Liberty Entrants: Paola Bueno
Liberty Outlook: Paola Bueno's CUSA women's hammer title a year ago marked the Lady Flames' fifth conference championship in this event in six seasons, spanning three leagues. (The only non-Liberty champion during that span was Kennesaw State's Kali Terza at the 2023 ASUN Championship). Bueno went on to earn second team All-America honors with an 11th-place national showing. She has pushed her program record to 212-8 this season, good for No. 27 nationally but only No. 3 in CUSA.
Others to Watch: FIU's Michaelle Valentin joined Bueno as a second-team All-American in 2024, placing one spot behind her in 12th. She will try to earn FIU's first CUSA women's hammer title since 2018 after placing third in 2023 and second in 2024. Valentin is CUSA's top seed and sits No. 10 nationally at 221-6. The aforementioned Terza is ranked No. 2 in CUSA and No. 26 nationally with a mark of 213-2. She topped then-freshman Bueno by a foot to capture the 2023 ASUN women's hammer victory.
Women's Heptathlon
Event Schedule: Day One – Begins Friday at 11 a.m. Eastern; Day Two – Begins Saturday at Noon Eastern
Defending Champion: Patasha Bryan (Liberty) – 5,371
Meet Record: 5,832 by Elizabeth Dadzie (Middle Tennessee) in 2017
Liberty Record: 5,504 by Danielle McNaney in 2005
2025 Indoor Champion (Pentathlon): Meredith Engle (Liberty) – 4,196
2025 Leader: Meredith Engle (Liberty) – 5,414
Liberty Entrants: Meredith Engle, Patasha Bryan and Paige Greenhagel
Liberty Outlook: Liberty's Meredith Engle heads to Murfreesboro in a similar situation to the one she faced at the CUSA Indoor Track & Field Championships. She currently ranks No. 23 nationally with her personal-best score of 5,414 from the Duke Invitational but almost assuredly needs to improve that mark in order to claim one of 24 berths to the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Engle scored a program-record 4,196 points in the CUSA pentathlon, punching her NCAA national ticket, where she went on to finish 12th. Engle has won three career conference pentathlon titles (2022 ASUN, 2023 ASUN and 2025 CUSA) but has yet to win a heptathlon gold medal. Patasha Bryan captured the CUSA heptathlon championship in Engle's absence a year ago, completing a brother/sister sweep of the multi-event crowns with brother Anthony in the decathlon. Bryan is seeded No. 2 at 4,919. Engle (5,414) and Bryan (5,378) rank 2-3 in program history behind Danielle McNaney's program record of 5,504 from the 2005 Penn Relays.
Others to Watch: No. 3 seed Cayla Johnson of Jacksonville State (4,847 points) earned the 2023 OVC heptathlon crown while competing for Tennessee Tech.
Players Mentioned
Distance
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Hurdles
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Distance
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Throws
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Throws
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Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Hurdles
/ Track and Field
Decathlon
/ Track and Field
Pole Vault
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Decathlon
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Heptathlon
/ Track and Field
Hammer
/ Track and Field
Hurdles
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Throws
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Throws
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Hurdles
/ Track and Field
Heptathlon
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Mid-distance
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Heptathlon
/ Track and Field
Mid-distance
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Mid-distance
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Throws
/ Track and Field
Throws
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Mid-distance
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Hurdles
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Throws
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Distance
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Distance
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Sprints
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Distance
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Sprints
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Sprints
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Mid-distance
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Sprints
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Jumps
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Sprints
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Throws
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Distance
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Javelin
/ Track and Field
Decathlon
/ Track and Field
Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Mid-distance
/ Track and Field
Mid-distance
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Distance
/ Track and Field
Mid-distance
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Sprints
/ Track and Field
Sprints
/ Track and Field
Javelin
/ Track and Field
Mid-distance
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Hurdles
/ Track and Field
Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Decathlon
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Sprints
/ Track and Field
Javelin
/ Track and Field
Sprints
/ Track and Field
Sprints
/ Track and Field
Jumps
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High Jump
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Decathlon
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Distance
/ Track and FieldCoach Zealand & Ryann Aycock Give An Update On The Cross Country Season
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