Thursday, March 26
Raleigh, N.C.
4:05 PM ET
Liberty University
at
Raleigh Relays
Michael Long lowered his 1,500 PR to 3:50.36 on Thursday.
Cottrell, Long Lead Flames on Raleigh Relays Day 1
3/26/2026 9:41:00 PM | Track and Field
RALEIGH, N.C. – Jack Cottrell (CUSA-leading 14:18.44 5K) and Michael Long (personal-best 3:50.36 1,500) provided Liberty's top performances on Thursday, the opening day of the 2026 Raleigh Relays at NC State's Paul Derr Track Facility.
Building upon the momentum from his third-place finish in the CUSA indoor 5K final, Cottrell opened his final collegiate outdoor campaign with a 14:18.44 clocking Thursday evening. That overtook Middle Tennessee's Solomon Sayo (14:24.27) for the early-season CUSA men's 5K lead.
In earlier heats, Nicholas Kiprotich ran 14:35.50 for his fastest 5K since the 2025 CUSA indoor final and Andrew Schultz (14:55.97) dipped under 15:00 for the first time.
Known best for his ability at 800 meters, Long paced the Flames' quartet of men's 1,500 runners with a personal-best 3:50.36 effort. Meanwhile, Tristian Merchant returned to action for the first time since cross country season and produced a 3:59.76.
Dale Hall (9:20.73) and Sean Aiken (9:21.00) recorded nearly identical steeplechase times from different heats, with Aiken beginning his junior campaign just three seconds off his lifetime best.
Up Next
Liberty athletes will compete in two different meets on Friday, including the Raleigh Relays (women's distance) and Dr. Jack M. Toms Alumni Invitational (distance, pole vault, women's hammer).
Building upon the momentum from his third-place finish in the CUSA indoor 5K final, Cottrell opened his final collegiate outdoor campaign with a 14:18.44 clocking Thursday evening. That overtook Middle Tennessee's Solomon Sayo (14:24.27) for the early-season CUSA men's 5K lead.
In earlier heats, Nicholas Kiprotich ran 14:35.50 for his fastest 5K since the 2025 CUSA indoor final and Andrew Schultz (14:55.97) dipped under 15:00 for the first time.
Known best for his ability at 800 meters, Long paced the Flames' quartet of men's 1,500 runners with a personal-best 3:50.36 effort. Meanwhile, Tristian Merchant returned to action for the first time since cross country season and produced a 3:59.76.
Dale Hall (9:20.73) and Sean Aiken (9:21.00) recorded nearly identical steeplechase times from different heats, with Aiken beginning his junior campaign just three seconds off his lifetime best.
Up Next
Liberty athletes will compete in two different meets on Friday, including the Raleigh Relays (women's distance) and Dr. Jack M. Toms Alumni Invitational (distance, pole vault, women's hammer).
Players Mentioned
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Distance
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