Friday, February 13
Clemson, S.C.
10:00 AM ET
Liberty University
at
Tiger Paw Invitational
Katie Sigerud won her 3K heat in a personal-best 9:34.74 at the Brant Tolsma Elite Invitational sponsored by Beynon.
12th Annual Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational Headlines 2-Meet Week
2/11/2026 2:53:00 PM | Track and Field
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Always a highlight of Liberty's home indoor track & field schedule, the 12th annual Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational is set for Friday and Saturday at the Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex. Meanwhile, a group of 18 Flames and Lady Flames will close out their regular season at the Tiger Paw Invitational, Friday and Saturday at the Clemson Indoor Track & Field Complex in Clemson, S.C.
Athletes from 32 colleges and universities are entered in the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational, including Charlotte, Navy, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia and Wake Forest among many others.
How to Follow the Flames and Lady Flames
Admission is free of charge for the 12th annual Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational.
The Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational will air on ESPN+ on Friday from 5:30-9 p.m. and on Saturday from Noon-4 p.m.
Meanwhile, both days of the Tiger Paw Invitational will be televised on ACC Network Extra.
Live results will be available throughout both meets, courtesy of Blue Ridge Timing (Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational) and Flash Results (Tiger Paw Invitational).
Remembering Darius
Darius Dixon, a promising freshman sprinter from Western Branch High School in Chesapeake, Va., opened his Liberty track & field career by competing in the 200 and 400-meter dash events at the Liberty Kickoff on Dec. 5, 2013. Two days later, he was tragically killed in a car accident at the age of 18.
In his memory, Liberty will hold a Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational meet for the 12th straight year. The inaugural Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational was contested on Dec. 3-4, 2014 at the Tolsma Indoor Track Center.
Celebrating a Decade
The Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex, which opened its doors in January 2017, is celebrating its 10th season of competition in 2025-26. This season, Wavelight technology is being utilized at the facility for the first time.
The 12th annual Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational (Feb. 13-14) and CUSA Indoor Track & Field Championships (Feb. 27-28) will punctuate the Flames' home season.
Allie's Next Acts
Allie Zealand's first two races this season have both seen her shatter program records and post potential NCAA national qualifying marks. She blazed to an 8:44.71 3K in Boston on Dec. 6 before running a 4:28.89 mile on her home track at the Brant Tolsma Elite Invitational two weeks ago.
The sophomore All-American is slated to toe the starting line twice on Friday, racing the women's 800 invite at 5:55 p.m. and helping pace the women's 3K invite at 7:25.
Zealand's 800 personal best currently stands at 2:07.31. In case you're wondering, Jaime Watson owns the Liberty record of 2:05.42 from the 2010 ECAC Championship in Boston. That effort punched Watson's ticket to the NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships.
In the 3K, Zealand will lead the way for a couple of the other fastest runners in program history. Ava Gordon currently ranks No. 4 all-time for the Lady Flames at 9:26.62 and Katie Sigerud sits No. 8 at 9:34.74. Reigning A-10 women's cross country individual champion Ella Semple of George Mason is also part of Friday's 3K field.
Off and Running
Liberty should be well represented in the men's 800 invite, the first event of ESPN+'s Friday coverage at 5:30 p.m.
Michael Long clocked a program-record and CUSA-leading time of 1:48.82 in his first 800 as a Flame at the Brant Tolsma Elite Invitational. The 2024 USATF U20 champion will join teammate Brendan Pitcher, a two-time indoor 800 conference champion for the Flames.
Last year's Darius Dixon men's 800 invite runner-up (Virginia's Myles Plummer) and third-place finisher (Charlotte's Andrew Mallo) are also part of the talented field.
3K x 3?
Liberty's quartet of Jack Cottrell, Edwin Kiprop, Andrew Schultz and Dale Hall will aim to continue the Flames' winning streak in the Darius Dixon men's 3K invite at 7:05 p.m. Friday evening.
Kyle Harkabus clocked a personal-best 8:01.62 to win the 2024 Darius Dixon men's 3K title before Cottrell ran a then personal-best 8:06.00 to claim victory a year ago.
Cottrell ranks No. 1 in CUSA this season at 8:05.86, while Kiprop was the 2024 CUSA champion in this event.
Up and Over
The men's pole vault has traditionally been a must-watch event at the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational, as at least one vaulter has gone over 18 feet each of the last three years.
A strong field is assembled for Saturday's invite section, which is slated for a 1:30 p.m. start. George Mason's Walter Bannerman, last year's fourth-place finisher, is an All-American and the two-time defending A-10 indoor champion. Jarod White captured the 2025 Summit League indoor title for North Dakota State with a personal-best 17-9 clearance.
Liberty will enter three of CUSA's top five pole vaulters this season, including Chase Johnson (16-11), Todd Benhase (16-8.75) and Reagan Wise (16-8.75).
Johnson eclipsed Benhase's Liberty freshman record earlier this season, and all three Flames are knocking on the 17-foot club's door. Only five Flames have ever cleared 17 feet (indoors or outdoors), including Ken Howell, Todd Pettyjohn, Michael Prettyman, Kolby Shepherd and Carson Waters.
Wise made his collegiate debut at the 2024 Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational and then won the 2025 Darius Dixon men's pole vault open section at 15-9 while competing for Campbell.
A Hop, Skip and a Jump Away
Saturday's men's triple jump competition figures to be one of Liberty's headline events at Clemson.
Joshua Smith opened the season with a program-record 51-3.5 triple jump at the Liberty Kickoff on Dec. 5. However, newcomer Gilles Ouedraogo has broken Smith's mark twice, reaching 51-7.75 at the Liberty Open (Jan. 23) and 51-8.25 at the Brant Tolsma Elite Invitational (Jan. 30). The Flames' duo currently ranks 1-2 on the CUSA leaderboard and among the top 35 nationally.
On Saturday, Smith and Ouedraogo are scheduled to triple jump in the same competition for the first time.
Liberty triple jumpers have found the Clemson runway favorable in past years, as current director of operations Makenzy (Mizera) Willis set the women's triple jump record of 42-8 at Clemson in 2021.
Record Breakers
Numerous Liberty program records and freshman records have been eclipsed already this season. Below is a summary.
Program Records
Mahogany Mobley – Women's 300 – 38.70 on Dec. 5 and 38.67 on Jan. 16
Joshua Smith – Men's Triple Jump – 51-3.5 on Dec. 5 (broken by Gilles Ouedraogo at 51-7.75 on Jan. 23 and again by Ouedraogo at 51-8.25 on Jan. 30)
Allie Zealand – Women's 3K – 8:44.71 on Dec. 6
Elijah Sherard – Men's 300 – 33.60 on Jan. 16
Michael Long – Men's 800 – 1:48.82 on Jan. 30
Allie Zealand – Women's Mile – 4:28.89 on Jan. 30
Freshman Records
Shelby Smith – Women's 300 – 40.22 on Dec. 5 and 39.25 on Jan. 16
Chase Johnson – Men's Pole Vault – 16-11 on Jan. 9
Jacob Tarkington – Men's 800 – 1:50.76 on Jan. 9
Alivia Rivera-Norman – Women's 60 Hurdles – 8.59 on Jan. 23
Tahj Brown – Men's 60 Hurdles – 7.93 on Jan. 23 and 7.92 on Jan. 30
Conference USA Contenders
Liberty's third season as a Conference USA member will culminate with the 2026 CUSA Indoor Track & Field Championships, Feb. 27-28 at the Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex. With two weeks remaining until the conference meet, Liberty ranks No. 1 in the following events:
Women's Mile – Allie Zealand – 4:28.89
Women's 3K – Allie Zealand – 8:44.71
Pentathlon – Patasha Bryan – 3,999
Men's 800 – Michael Long – 1:48.82
Men's Mile – Michael Long – 4:05.46
Men's 3K – Jack Cottrell – 8:05.86
Men's 60 Hurdles – Tahj Brown – 7.92
Men's Long Jump – Markus White – 24-11.25
Men's Triple Jump – Gilles Ouedraogo – 51-8.25
Men's Shot Put – Trevor Veenstra – 59-1.5
Men's Weight Throw – Kellen Kimes – 68-9.75
Heptathlon – Jake Nicholson – 5,046
Among the Nation's Elite
At season's end, the nation's top 16 performers in each event will qualify to the 2026 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships. The meet is scheduled for March 13-14 in Fayetteville, Ark.
The following Flames currently rank among the top 16 in their respective events:
No. 6 – Allie Zealand – Women's 3K – 8:44.71
No. 7 – Allie Zealand – Women's Mile – 4:28.89
Most of the Flames and Lady Flames currently within shouting distance of the top 16 will compete at Clemson this weekend, including Gilles Ouedraogo (No. 27 in men's triple jump – 51-8.25), Joshua Smith (No. 35 in men's triple jump – 51-3.5), Markus White (No. 35 in men's long jump – 24-11.25) and Kellen Kimes (No. 38 in men's weight throw – 68-9.75).
Up Next
The CUSA Indoor Track & Field Championships will return to the Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex, Feb. 27-28. The Lady Flames will aim for their fifth consecutive indoor conference title, while the Flames will attempt to reclaim the crown after finishing second to Kennesaw State a year ago. Portions of both days' action will air on ESPN+.
Athletes from 32 colleges and universities are entered in the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational, including Charlotte, Navy, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia and Wake Forest among many others.
How to Follow the Flames and Lady Flames
Admission is free of charge for the 12th annual Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational.
The Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational will air on ESPN+ on Friday from 5:30-9 p.m. and on Saturday from Noon-4 p.m.
Meanwhile, both days of the Tiger Paw Invitational will be televised on ACC Network Extra.
Live results will be available throughout both meets, courtesy of Blue Ridge Timing (Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational) and Flash Results (Tiger Paw Invitational).
Remembering Darius
Darius Dixon, a promising freshman sprinter from Western Branch High School in Chesapeake, Va., opened his Liberty track & field career by competing in the 200 and 400-meter dash events at the Liberty Kickoff on Dec. 5, 2013. Two days later, he was tragically killed in a car accident at the age of 18.
In his memory, Liberty will hold a Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational meet for the 12th straight year. The inaugural Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational was contested on Dec. 3-4, 2014 at the Tolsma Indoor Track Center.
Celebrating a Decade
The Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex, which opened its doors in January 2017, is celebrating its 10th season of competition in 2025-26. This season, Wavelight technology is being utilized at the facility for the first time.
The 12th annual Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational (Feb. 13-14) and CUSA Indoor Track & Field Championships (Feb. 27-28) will punctuate the Flames' home season.
Allie's Next Acts
Allie Zealand's first two races this season have both seen her shatter program records and post potential NCAA national qualifying marks. She blazed to an 8:44.71 3K in Boston on Dec. 6 before running a 4:28.89 mile on her home track at the Brant Tolsma Elite Invitational two weeks ago.
The sophomore All-American is slated to toe the starting line twice on Friday, racing the women's 800 invite at 5:55 p.m. and helping pace the women's 3K invite at 7:25.
Zealand's 800 personal best currently stands at 2:07.31. In case you're wondering, Jaime Watson owns the Liberty record of 2:05.42 from the 2010 ECAC Championship in Boston. That effort punched Watson's ticket to the NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships.
In the 3K, Zealand will lead the way for a couple of the other fastest runners in program history. Ava Gordon currently ranks No. 4 all-time for the Lady Flames at 9:26.62 and Katie Sigerud sits No. 8 at 9:34.74. Reigning A-10 women's cross country individual champion Ella Semple of George Mason is also part of Friday's 3K field.
Off and Running
Liberty should be well represented in the men's 800 invite, the first event of ESPN+'s Friday coverage at 5:30 p.m.
Michael Long clocked a program-record and CUSA-leading time of 1:48.82 in his first 800 as a Flame at the Brant Tolsma Elite Invitational. The 2024 USATF U20 champion will join teammate Brendan Pitcher, a two-time indoor 800 conference champion for the Flames.
Last year's Darius Dixon men's 800 invite runner-up (Virginia's Myles Plummer) and third-place finisher (Charlotte's Andrew Mallo) are also part of the talented field.
3K x 3?
Liberty's quartet of Jack Cottrell, Edwin Kiprop, Andrew Schultz and Dale Hall will aim to continue the Flames' winning streak in the Darius Dixon men's 3K invite at 7:05 p.m. Friday evening.
Kyle Harkabus clocked a personal-best 8:01.62 to win the 2024 Darius Dixon men's 3K title before Cottrell ran a then personal-best 8:06.00 to claim victory a year ago.
Cottrell ranks No. 1 in CUSA this season at 8:05.86, while Kiprop was the 2024 CUSA champion in this event.
Up and Over
The men's pole vault has traditionally been a must-watch event at the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational, as at least one vaulter has gone over 18 feet each of the last three years.
A strong field is assembled for Saturday's invite section, which is slated for a 1:30 p.m. start. George Mason's Walter Bannerman, last year's fourth-place finisher, is an All-American and the two-time defending A-10 indoor champion. Jarod White captured the 2025 Summit League indoor title for North Dakota State with a personal-best 17-9 clearance.
Liberty will enter three of CUSA's top five pole vaulters this season, including Chase Johnson (16-11), Todd Benhase (16-8.75) and Reagan Wise (16-8.75).
Johnson eclipsed Benhase's Liberty freshman record earlier this season, and all three Flames are knocking on the 17-foot club's door. Only five Flames have ever cleared 17 feet (indoors or outdoors), including Ken Howell, Todd Pettyjohn, Michael Prettyman, Kolby Shepherd and Carson Waters.
Wise made his collegiate debut at the 2024 Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational and then won the 2025 Darius Dixon men's pole vault open section at 15-9 while competing for Campbell.
A Hop, Skip and a Jump Away
Saturday's men's triple jump competition figures to be one of Liberty's headline events at Clemson.
Joshua Smith opened the season with a program-record 51-3.5 triple jump at the Liberty Kickoff on Dec. 5. However, newcomer Gilles Ouedraogo has broken Smith's mark twice, reaching 51-7.75 at the Liberty Open (Jan. 23) and 51-8.25 at the Brant Tolsma Elite Invitational (Jan. 30). The Flames' duo currently ranks 1-2 on the CUSA leaderboard and among the top 35 nationally.
On Saturday, Smith and Ouedraogo are scheduled to triple jump in the same competition for the first time.
Liberty triple jumpers have found the Clemson runway favorable in past years, as current director of operations Makenzy (Mizera) Willis set the women's triple jump record of 42-8 at Clemson in 2021.
Record Breakers
Numerous Liberty program records and freshman records have been eclipsed already this season. Below is a summary.
Program Records
Mahogany Mobley – Women's 300 – 38.70 on Dec. 5 and 38.67 on Jan. 16
Joshua Smith – Men's Triple Jump – 51-3.5 on Dec. 5 (broken by Gilles Ouedraogo at 51-7.75 on Jan. 23 and again by Ouedraogo at 51-8.25 on Jan. 30)
Allie Zealand – Women's 3K – 8:44.71 on Dec. 6
Elijah Sherard – Men's 300 – 33.60 on Jan. 16
Michael Long – Men's 800 – 1:48.82 on Jan. 30
Allie Zealand – Women's Mile – 4:28.89 on Jan. 30
Freshman Records
Shelby Smith – Women's 300 – 40.22 on Dec. 5 and 39.25 on Jan. 16
Chase Johnson – Men's Pole Vault – 16-11 on Jan. 9
Jacob Tarkington – Men's 800 – 1:50.76 on Jan. 9
Alivia Rivera-Norman – Women's 60 Hurdles – 8.59 on Jan. 23
Tahj Brown – Men's 60 Hurdles – 7.93 on Jan. 23 and 7.92 on Jan. 30
Conference USA Contenders
Liberty's third season as a Conference USA member will culminate with the 2026 CUSA Indoor Track & Field Championships, Feb. 27-28 at the Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex. With two weeks remaining until the conference meet, Liberty ranks No. 1 in the following events:
Women's Mile – Allie Zealand – 4:28.89
Women's 3K – Allie Zealand – 8:44.71
Pentathlon – Patasha Bryan – 3,999
Men's 800 – Michael Long – 1:48.82
Men's Mile – Michael Long – 4:05.46
Men's 3K – Jack Cottrell – 8:05.86
Men's 60 Hurdles – Tahj Brown – 7.92
Men's Long Jump – Markus White – 24-11.25
Men's Triple Jump – Gilles Ouedraogo – 51-8.25
Men's Shot Put – Trevor Veenstra – 59-1.5
Men's Weight Throw – Kellen Kimes – 68-9.75
Heptathlon – Jake Nicholson – 5,046
Among the Nation's Elite
At season's end, the nation's top 16 performers in each event will qualify to the 2026 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships. The meet is scheduled for March 13-14 in Fayetteville, Ark.
The following Flames currently rank among the top 16 in their respective events:
No. 6 – Allie Zealand – Women's 3K – 8:44.71
No. 7 – Allie Zealand – Women's Mile – 4:28.89
Most of the Flames and Lady Flames currently within shouting distance of the top 16 will compete at Clemson this weekend, including Gilles Ouedraogo (No. 27 in men's triple jump – 51-8.25), Joshua Smith (No. 35 in men's triple jump – 51-3.5), Markus White (No. 35 in men's long jump – 24-11.25) and Kellen Kimes (No. 38 in men's weight throw – 68-9.75).
Up Next
The CUSA Indoor Track & Field Championships will return to the Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex, Feb. 27-28. The Lady Flames will aim for their fifth consecutive indoor conference title, while the Flames will attempt to reclaim the crown after finishing second to Kennesaw State a year ago. Portions of both days' action will air on ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Hurdles
/ Track and Field
Heptathlon
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Mid-distance
/ Track and Field
Mid-distance
/ Track and Field
Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Mid-Distance
/ Track and Field
Sprints
/ Track and Field
Decathlon
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Mid-distance
/ Track and Field
Hurdles
/ Track and Field
Distance
/ Track and Field
Sprints
/ Track and Field
Mid-distance
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Sprints
/ Track and Field
Mid-Distance
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Mid-Distance
/ Track and FieldPaola Bueno: Representing Liberty and Mexico
Thursday, January 29
The Sherard Family: On the Court and on the Track
Wednesday, January 21
Allie Zealand Talks About The Cross Country & Indoor Track Season
Friday, December 12
Coach Zealand & Ryann Aycock Give An Update On The Cross Country Season
Wednesday, September 17