Kimes Reaches Program-Record 70-8.5 to Win VT Challenge Weight Throw

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Defending CUSA men's weight throw champion Kellen Kimes made an impressive final tune-up for this year's conference championship, Saturday at the Virginia Tech Challenge. The Liberty redshirt sophomore improved his own program record to 70-8.5 on his way to victory at Rector Field House.

Kimes recorded each of the competition's four longest throws, improving from 64-1 in round one to 65-5 in round four to 66-8 in round five to 70-8.5 on his sixth and final attempt. That bomb was nine feet longer than the top mark of runner-up Alex Hoffman of Virginia Tech and took down Kimes' previous Liberty standard of 70-5.75 from the Liberty Open on Feb. 7, 2025.

Kimes' 70-8.5 mark on Saturday moves him up to No. 30 nationally this season and is more than four and a half feet ahead of Kennesaw State's Noah Jirgens for the top spot on the CUSA performance list.

Freshman Ellie Stine was the only other Lady Flame to compete in Blacksburg, placing fourth overall (first among collegiate entrants) in the women's weight throw. Her 56-11.25 effort was Stine's second best performance of her rookie campaign to date.

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+.

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Kimes Reaches Program-Record 70-8.5 to Win VT Challenge Weight Throw

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Kellen Kimes

Ellie Stine