Thursday, January 29
Lynchburg, Va.
1:00 PM ET
Liberty University
vs
Brant Tolsma Elite Invitational Sponsored by Beynon
Patasha Bryan tallied a personal-best 3,999 points for second place in the pentathlon.
Bryan, Willis Pace Flames on Brant Tolsma Elite Invite Day 1
1/29/2026 8:13:00 PM | Track and Field
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Appropriate to its namesake, the sixth annual Brant Tolsma Elite Invitational sponsored by Beynon began with a Thursday full of heptathlon and pentathlon competition. Liberty's Patasha Bryan scored a personal-best 3,999 points for second place in the pentathlon, while Gabriel Willis (2,994) sits a close second through four heptathlon events at the Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex.
Bryan was the top collegiate performer in the pentathlon, trailing only former Colorado State All-American Lexie Keller (4,161) in the final standings. Bryan added 34 points to her previous personal best score, leapfrogging Kylie Polsgrove for No. 2 in program history. The senior also climbed from No. 15 to No. 9 nationally this season, thanks to Thursday's effort.
Bryan excelled in both jumping events, matching her lifetime best in the high jump (5-6) and long jumping a new personal-best 18-7.25. She then closed things out with an impressive 2:16.79 800, leaving her a tantalizing one point shy of joining teammate Meredith Engle in the Lady Flames' 4,000-point club.
Paige Greenhagel followed in fifth place with a score of 3,434 after starting her day with a personal-best 9.36 in the 60 hurdles.
With his four-event total of 2,994 points, Willis sits just two behind day one leader Michael Bennett of Duke (2,996), last year's ACC fourth-place heptathlete. Willis' final Thursday event saw him pace all of the heptathlon competitors with a 6-7.5 clearance in his first high jump competition of the season.
Jake Nicholson (fourth place, 2,721) and Hunter Bleam (fifth, 2,647) join Willis inside the top five heading to Friday's final three disciplines.
Up Next
The sixth annual Brant Tolsma Elite Invitational sponsored by Beynon will feature an action-packed day on Friday.
Things will get started at 11 a.m. with the lower section of the women's pole vault.
The heptathlon will resume at 11:15 a.m. with the 60 hurdles.
The men's 60 hurdles prelims will open up the running event program at 12:05 p.m.
FloTrack's broadcast will go live at 12:45 p.m., setting the stage for the highly anticipated invitational mile races, including the men and 12:50 and the women at 1:05.
Bryan was the top collegiate performer in the pentathlon, trailing only former Colorado State All-American Lexie Keller (4,161) in the final standings. Bryan added 34 points to her previous personal best score, leapfrogging Kylie Polsgrove for No. 2 in program history. The senior also climbed from No. 15 to No. 9 nationally this season, thanks to Thursday's effort.
Bryan excelled in both jumping events, matching her lifetime best in the high jump (5-6) and long jumping a new personal-best 18-7.25. She then closed things out with an impressive 2:16.79 800, leaving her a tantalizing one point shy of joining teammate Meredith Engle in the Lady Flames' 4,000-point club.
Paige Greenhagel followed in fifth place with a score of 3,434 after starting her day with a personal-best 9.36 in the 60 hurdles.
With his four-event total of 2,994 points, Willis sits just two behind day one leader Michael Bennett of Duke (2,996), last year's ACC fourth-place heptathlete. Willis' final Thursday event saw him pace all of the heptathlon competitors with a 6-7.5 clearance in his first high jump competition of the season.
Jake Nicholson (fourth place, 2,721) and Hunter Bleam (fifth, 2,647) join Willis inside the top five heading to Friday's final three disciplines.
Up Next
The sixth annual Brant Tolsma Elite Invitational sponsored by Beynon will feature an action-packed day on Friday.
Things will get started at 11 a.m. with the lower section of the women's pole vault.
The heptathlon will resume at 11:15 a.m. with the 60 hurdles.
The men's 60 hurdles prelims will open up the running event program at 12:05 p.m.
FloTrack's broadcast will go live at 12:45 p.m., setting the stage for the highly anticipated invitational mile races, including the men and 12:50 and the women at 1:05.
Players Mentioned
Decathlon
/ Track and Field
Heptathlon
/ Track and Field
Heptathlon
/ Track and Field
Heptathlon
/ Track and Field
Decathlon
/ Track and Field
Decathlon
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