Friday, January 16
Blacksburg, Va.
4:00 PM ET
Liberty University
at
Virginia Tech Invitational
Isaiah Idore will attempt to defend his Virginia Tech Invitational men's 60 hurdles title on Friday.
Virginia Tech Invitational Next Up for Liberty Track
1/14/2026 11:03:00 AM | Track and Field
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Liberty men's and women's track & field teams will make a rare venture away from their home facility this week, heading across the Commonwealth to Blacksburg for the Virginia Tech Invitational, Friday and Saturday at Rector Field House.
How to Follow the Flames and Lady Flames
Live results will be available throughout the meet, courtesy of Flash Results.
Fabulous Freshmen
The Flames' talented freshman class has gotten off to a fast start this season, breaking a trio of Liberty freshman records.
The record setters include Chase Johnson (16-11 pole vault at The Burg Open), Jacob Tarkington (1:50.76 800 at The Burg Open) and Shelby Smith (40.22 300 at the Liberty Kickoff). Among freshmen, Johnson currently ranks No. 1 nationally and Tarkington sits No. 2 nationally this season.
Johnson and Smith are entered in those same events in Blacksburg, while Tarkington could take aim at the Liberty freshman standard in the men's 1,000 (2:25.94 by Jarred Cornfield at the 2011 IC4A Championship).
Liberty athletes took down three freshman records at last year's Virginia Tech Invitational, including the men's pole vault (Todd Benhase), men's weight throw (Kellen Kimes) and women's 1,000 (Allie Zealand).
An "I" On Defending His Title
Isaiah Idore donned a Liberty uniform in an indoor track & field competition for the first time at the 2025 Virginia Tech Invitational and made it a meet to remember.
He clocked a then personal-best time of 7.90 to win the men's 60 hurdles title, a crown Idore will attempt to defend on Friday.
2 For 2
Liberty's Joshua Smith (men's triple jump) and Katie Urbine (women's pole vault) have each won their specialty events at both of this season's first two competitions (Liberty Kickoff and The Burg Open).
Smith and Urbine are slated to compete in Blacksburg this week, attempting to continue their winning streaks.
Up Next
The Flames will return home for the Liberty Open. The meet is slated for Jan. 23-24 at the Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex.
How to Follow the Flames and Lady Flames
Live results will be available throughout the meet, courtesy of Flash Results.
Fabulous Freshmen
The Flames' talented freshman class has gotten off to a fast start this season, breaking a trio of Liberty freshman records.
The record setters include Chase Johnson (16-11 pole vault at The Burg Open), Jacob Tarkington (1:50.76 800 at The Burg Open) and Shelby Smith (40.22 300 at the Liberty Kickoff). Among freshmen, Johnson currently ranks No. 1 nationally and Tarkington sits No. 2 nationally this season.
Johnson and Smith are entered in those same events in Blacksburg, while Tarkington could take aim at the Liberty freshman standard in the men's 1,000 (2:25.94 by Jarred Cornfield at the 2011 IC4A Championship).
Liberty athletes took down three freshman records at last year's Virginia Tech Invitational, including the men's pole vault (Todd Benhase), men's weight throw (Kellen Kimes) and women's 1,000 (Allie Zealand).
An "I" On Defending His Title
Isaiah Idore donned a Liberty uniform in an indoor track & field competition for the first time at the 2025 Virginia Tech Invitational and made it a meet to remember.
He clocked a then personal-best time of 7.90 to win the men's 60 hurdles title, a crown Idore will attempt to defend on Friday.
2 For 2
Liberty's Joshua Smith (men's triple jump) and Katie Urbine (women's pole vault) have each won their specialty events at both of this season's first two competitions (Liberty Kickoff and The Burg Open).
Smith and Urbine are slated to compete in Blacksburg this week, attempting to continue their winning streaks.
Up Next
The Flames will return home for the Liberty Open. The meet is slated for Jan. 23-24 at the Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex.
Players Mentioned
Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Hurdles
/ Track and Field
Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Sprints
/ Track and Field
Mid-Distance
/ Track and Field
Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Mid-Distance
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