Friday, May 2
Jacksonville, Fla.
1:00 PM ET
Liberty University
at
%20(1).png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
East Coast Relays
Kellen Kimes
Kimes’ 1st Hammer Victory Comes at East Coast Relays
5/2/2025 10:21:00 PM | Track and Field
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Liberty's Kellen Kimes recorded his first collegiate men's hammer victory, headlining the Flames' efforts at the East Coast Relays, Friday at Visit Jax Track at Hodges Stadium.
Men's Day 1 Recap
Kimes' second hammer throw of the afternoon reached 203-10. That mark defeated runner-up Jase Hunter of Kennesaw State by eight feet in a competition which saw CUSA throwers claim three of the top four places.
Josh Blalock slashed his men's 400 hurdles personal best from 52.90 to 51.75, winning his heat and placing third overall in the event. Blalock became the 10th Flame ever to post a 400 hurdles time under 52 seconds and now ranks second behind teammate Jacob Torres (51.68) on this year's CUSA performance list.
Torres placed 10th on Friday in 52.93. He and Blalock are both now in contention for a return trip to the facility for the NCAA Division I East First Rounds meet at the end of the month.
All three of Liberty's men's shot putters made the finals. Christian Hicks led the way in fourth place, adding nearly two feet to his personal best with a 54-10.25 put. He was followed by Trevor Veenstra (sixth, 53-10.25) and Beau Backes (ninth, 51-1.75).
The Flames also boasted a trio of lofty finishers in the men's 200, an event hampered by gusty headwinds. Omari Lewis crossed the line fifth in 21.17, while Elijah Sherard was seventh in 21.22 and Revell Webster took 11th in 21.48.
In his second competition as a Liberty Flame, Markus White long jumped 24-5.5 to earn fifth place.
Women's Day 1 Recap
All-American Paola Bueno was the Lady Flames' highest finisher on the day, taking fourth in the women's hammer at 198-10.
Meredith Engle heaved the shot put an outdoor personal-best 44-5.25 for sixth place, while Sofia Mojica was eighth (42-10.75).
The Lady Flames also notched a pair of top-10 placements in the women's pole vault, thanks to Mia Bowers (sixth, 12-6.25) and Emory Pafford (tie for ninth, 12-0.5).
Men's Day 1 Event Winners
Kellen Kimes – Hammer – 203-10
Other Men's Day 1 Top 3 Finishers
3rd – Josh Blalock – 400 Hurdles – 51.75
Day 1 Updates to Liberty's All-Time Men's Top 10 List
400 Hurdles – No. 9 – Josh Blalock – 51.75
Up Next
Liberty will wrap up the East Coast Relays with a busy Saturday of activity. The day's first event will be the women's 100 hurdles prelims at 10:30 a.m.
Men's Day 1 Recap
Kimes' second hammer throw of the afternoon reached 203-10. That mark defeated runner-up Jase Hunter of Kennesaw State by eight feet in a competition which saw CUSA throwers claim three of the top four places.
Josh Blalock slashed his men's 400 hurdles personal best from 52.90 to 51.75, winning his heat and placing third overall in the event. Blalock became the 10th Flame ever to post a 400 hurdles time under 52 seconds and now ranks second behind teammate Jacob Torres (51.68) on this year's CUSA performance list.
Torres placed 10th on Friday in 52.93. He and Blalock are both now in contention for a return trip to the facility for the NCAA Division I East First Rounds meet at the end of the month.
All three of Liberty's men's shot putters made the finals. Christian Hicks led the way in fourth place, adding nearly two feet to his personal best with a 54-10.25 put. He was followed by Trevor Veenstra (sixth, 53-10.25) and Beau Backes (ninth, 51-1.75).
The Flames also boasted a trio of lofty finishers in the men's 200, an event hampered by gusty headwinds. Omari Lewis crossed the line fifth in 21.17, while Elijah Sherard was seventh in 21.22 and Revell Webster took 11th in 21.48.
In his second competition as a Liberty Flame, Markus White long jumped 24-5.5 to earn fifth place.
Women's Day 1 Recap
All-American Paola Bueno was the Lady Flames' highest finisher on the day, taking fourth in the women's hammer at 198-10.
Meredith Engle heaved the shot put an outdoor personal-best 44-5.25 for sixth place, while Sofia Mojica was eighth (42-10.75).
The Lady Flames also notched a pair of top-10 placements in the women's pole vault, thanks to Mia Bowers (sixth, 12-6.25) and Emory Pafford (tie for ninth, 12-0.5).
Men's Day 1 Event Winners
Kellen Kimes – Hammer – 203-10
Other Men's Day 1 Top 3 Finishers
3rd – Josh Blalock – 400 Hurdles – 51.75
Day 1 Updates to Liberty's All-Time Men's Top 10 List
400 Hurdles – No. 9 – Josh Blalock – 51.75
Up Next
Liberty will wrap up the East Coast Relays with a busy Saturday of activity. The day's first event will be the women's 100 hurdles prelims at 10:30 a.m.
Players Mentioned
Throws
/ Track and Field
Hurdles
/ Track and Field
Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Hammer
/ Track and Field
Heptathlon
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Sprints
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Sprints
/ Track and Field
Hurdles
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Sprints
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and FieldEmma Unger: Every Step of the Way
Wednesday, May 14
Follow the Leader: Lance Bingham
Tuesday, May 13
Beau Backes: Following God's Calling in Two Worlds
Friday, May 02
Reagan Underwood: Running a New Race
Tuesday, April 15