Liberty Set to Host ASUN Indoor Track Championships
2/23/2022 10:51:14 AM | Track and Field
Friday Live Video (3:00-6:30 p.m. on ESPN3)
Saturday Live Video (Noon-3:30 p.m. on ESPN3)
Liberty is preparing to host the 2022 ASUN Indoor Track & Field Championships, Friday and Saturday at the recently dedicated Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex.
The Flames will attempt to claim their fourth consecutive ASUN indoor team title and their 25th straight indoor conference championship overall. Meanwhile, the Lady Flames will aim to return to the top of the conference after placing a close second to Kennesaw State a year ago.
The meet will begin Friday at 9 a.m. with the heptathlon 60-meter dash. Saturday’s action will commence at 8:30 a.m. with the heptathlon 60-meter hurdles.
The ASUN Indoor Track & Field Championships will take place in Lynchburg for the fifth consecutive year. Liberty first hosted the event in 2018, prior to joining the ASUN Conference.
Liberty hopes its home track advantage continues this weekend. The Flames and Lady Flames have won 23 of a possible 24 conference men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor team titles in Lynchburg. The lone setback came on the women’s side at the 2021 ASUN Indoor Track & Field Championships.
This year’s meet will look considerably different than the 2021 edition. A year ago, only four men’s and women’s teams (Bellarmine, Kennesaw State, Liberty and Lipscomb) competed at this event. In 2022, the count will be nine women’s teams (Bellarmine, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Lipscomb and North Florida) and seven men’s squads (Bellarmine, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Lipscomb and North Florida).
As a result, this weekend’s meet will see the number of scoring places in each event increase from six to eight. Prelims will be added to the schedule in the 200, 400, 800 and mile, while each team will be capped at 30 participants per gender.
How to Follow the Action
Live video streaming of both days’ running events and taped coverage of the field events and multi events will be available on ESPN3. The live broadcast windows include Friday from 3-6:30 p.m. and Saturday from Noon-3:30 p.m.
Live event-by-event results will be available throughout the meet, courtesy of Half-Mile Timing.
Additionally, periodic meet updates will be posted to the Liberty Track & Field Twitter account (@Liberty_XCTF).
Women’s Meet Preview
Last season, Kennesaw State edged the Lady Flames by five points (223-218) to claim the 2021 ASUN indoor team title. That halted Liberty’s streak of five consecutive indoor conference titles (three in the Big South and a pair in the ASUN). Overall, Liberty has captured 15 women’s indoor conference championships in the last 24 years.
Three different women’s teams have hoisted the first-place trophy within the last four editions of the ASUN Indoor Track & Field Championships, including Jacksonville in 2018, Liberty in 2019 and 2020, and Kennesaw State in 2021.
The Lady Flames own the ASUN’s top performance in the following six events this season: 3K (Adelyn Ackley), 5K (Calli Doan), pole vault (Taylen Langin), shot put (Naomi Mojica), weight throw (Grace Artis) and pentathlon (Meredith Engle).
The following Lady Flames are back after claiming ASUN event titles in 2021: Abby Pantlitz (60 & 200), Adelyn Ackley (5K), Ayanna Johnson (long jump) and Naomi Mojica (shot put).
Mojica is seven-for-seven in conference shot put championships during her career. She swept the Big South indoor and outdoor titles as a freshman in 2018 before doing the same in the ASUN Conference in 2019. Mojica then claimed the 2020 ASUN indoor shot put title before the outdoor championship was cancelled due to COVID-19. Last season, Mojica again swept the ASUN indoor and outdoor crowns.
Men’s Meet Preview
The Liberty men’s indoor track & field team has never lost a conference meet at the NCAA Division I level, going 24 for 24 in claiming the team championship trophy. The Flames captured the team title at each of the 21 editions of the Big South Indoor Track & Field Championships they competed in and have won the last three ASUN indoor crowns, extending the longest active championship streak in NCAA Division I men’s indoor track & field.
The Flames expect a strong challenge from Kennesaw State, which had won seven straight ASUN indoor championships prior to Liberty’s arrival in the conference. The Owls have captured a meet-record nine men’s team titles during the 16-year history of the ASUN Indoor Track & Field Championships and have finished second to the Flames each of the past three seasons.
Liberty returns seven men’s individual event champions from last year’s meet, including Christian Lyon (60), Ryan Drew (3K), Felix Kandie (5K), Felix Lawrence (60 hurdles), Quinten Clay (long jump), John Hicks (weight throw) and Anthony Bryan (heptathlon). Lyon, Drew and Hicks each won their events for the second year in a row in 2021.
The Flames own the conference’s top mark of 2021 in seven different events, including the 60 (Diamantae Griffin and Brandon Letts), 200 (Griffin), long jump (Quinten Clay), high jump (Kennedy Sauder), pole vault (Anders Janes), weight throw (John Hicks) and heptathlon (Anthony Bryan).
The ASUN meet will mark athletes’ final chance to post a qualifying mark for the 2022 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships. At this point, freshman Kennedy Sauder appears to be in good position to qualify in the high jump. However, the Flames’ other standout performers, including outdoor All-Americans Felix Kandie and Kyle Mitchell, would need improved marks this weekend to reach the NCAA championship, slated for March 11-12 in Birmingham, Ala.
Event Capsules
Women’s 60-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 5:10 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 1:10 p.m.
Defending Champion: Abby Pantlitz (Liberty) – 7.55
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Pantlitz
Conference Record: 7.38 by Jacquelyn Baldwin (Jacksonville) in 2017
Meet Record: 7.38 by Jacquelyn Baldwin (Jacksonville) in 2017
Facility Record: 7.30 by Kiara Grant (Norfolk State) in 2020
Liberty Record: 7.45 by Oasis Hernandez in 2014
2022 Leader: Alexis Williams (Jacksonville) – 7.48
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Abby Pantlitz – 2021)
Liberty Entrants: Abby Pantlitz, Ayanna Johnson
Outlook: The last five times Jacksonville has competed at this meet (2016-20), a Dolphin has come away with the women’s 60 dash title. First-year JU sprinter Alexis Williams (7.48) enters as the top seed, followed closely by Eastern Kentucky’s Quantasia Perry (7.52). The Lady Flames’ duo of Abby Pantlitz and Ayanna Johnson returns after going 1-2 in this event a year ago. However, neither Liberty sprinter has been at top form thus far in 2022.
Women’s 200-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 6:15 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 1:45 p.m.
Defending Champion: Abby Pantlitz (Liberty) – 24.53
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Pantlitz
Conference Record: 23.16 by Savyon Toombs (Jacksonville) in 2019
Meet Record: 23.75 by Savyon Toombs (Jacksonville) in 2020
Facility Record: 23.52 by Ayla Stanisclaus (New Mexico JC) in 2020
Liberty Record: 23.98 by Kimone Green in 2018
2022 Leader: Quantasia Perry (Eastern Kentucky) – 24.00
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Abby Pantlitz – 2021)
Liberty Entrants: Janai Scott, Abby Pantlitz
Outlook: Jacksonville swept the three 200 dash podium positions each of the last three times the Dolphins competed at this meet (2018, 2019 and 2020). However, it is Eastern Kentucky which ranks 1-2 entering this weekend’s meet, thanks to Quantasia Perry (24.00) and Aniya Matthews (24.29). Perry was the OVC outdoor runner-up a season ago. The Lady Flames’ Abby Pantlitz is back after sweeping the ASUN indoor and outdoor 200 titles in 2021. However, Liberty’s top hopes likely lie with Janai Scott, the Big South indoor and outdoor 200 champion as a freshman at Campbell in 2017. Since then, she has battled through a number of injuries. But Scott took fourth place at this meet in 2021 and enters as the No. 7 seed this time around with a season-best 24.96 clocking.
Women’s 400-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 4:30 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 12:55 p.m.
Defending Champion: Britiney Johnson (Kennesaw State) – 56.33
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Jayla Mobley (Kennesaw State) – 2nd place
Conference Record: 53.79 by Brianna Frazier (North Florida) in 2012
Meet Record: 53.79 by Brianna Frazier (North Florida) in 2012
Facility Record: 52.55 by Athing Mu (Unattached) in 2019
Liberty Record: 53.99 by Cortney Strohman in 2019
2022 Leader: Felicia Phillips (Eastern Kentucky) – 55.33
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Cortney Strohman – 2020)
Liberty Entrants: None
Outlook: The women’s 400 is the only event at this year’s championship where Liberty will not have a participant. Kennesaw State hopes to reel in a sizable number of points in the Lady Flames’ absence. The Owls return two-thirds of last year’s podium-sweeping trio in runner-up Jayla Mobley and Imani Christian. 800-meter All-American Sarah Hendrick will also step down in distance for the Owls. The last time Hendrick ran a 400 in competition (Jan. 22, 2021), she clocked a 55.65. Only EKU’s Felicia Phillips (55.33) has run faster thus far in 2022 among ASUN entrants. Jacksonville’s entries include last year’s ASUN outdoor champion (Sadae Davidson) and runner-up (Pashen Williams). Meanwhile, Tyler Rose of Central Arkansas was the 2021 Southland indoor runner-up in the women’s 400 and will look to carry that success into her new conference.
Women’s 800-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 5:45 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Defending Champion: Sarah Hendrick (Kennesaw State) – 2:03.73
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Naomi Armstrong (Liberty) – 2nd place
Conference Record: 2:02.87 by Sarah Hendrick (Kennesaw State) in 2022
Meet Record: 2:03.73 by Sarah Hendrick (Kennesaw State) in 2021
Facility Record: 2:03.73 by Sarah Hendrick (Kennesaw State) in 2021
Liberty Record: 2:05.42 by Jaime Watson in 2010
2022 Leader: Sarah Hendrick (Kennesaw State) – 2:02.87
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Tanner Ealum – 2020)
Liberty Entrants: Naomi Armstrong, Annamarie McKenzie
Outlook: Kennesaw State All-American Sarah Hendrick ranks No. 3 nationally in this event at 2:02.87 but will focus on other races this weekend instead of attempting to defend her ASUN title. Hendrick’s absence swings this event wide open. The top two seeds belong to Jacksonville’s Sadie Morris (2:08.36) and Emma Sullivan (2:08.49), each of whom will attempt to claim the Dolphins’ first ASUN title in this event since 2018. Liberty’s Naomi Armstrong was the indoor runner-up to Hendrick a year ago, while Lipscomb’s Kiara Carter took second to Hendrick outdoors in 2021. The Bisons have not won this event since 2014. Armstrong, who has lowered her indoor personal bests to 58.32 (400), 2:09.86 (800) and 2:50.93 (1,000) this season, will also compete in the pole vault Friday in a unique event combination.
Women’s Mile
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 3:15 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 12:10 p.m.
Defending Champion: Calli Doan (Liberty) – 4:45.84 (Second in a row)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Sydney Liddle (Lipscomb) – 2nd place
Conference Record: 4:39.39 by Heidi Dahl (ETSU) in 2009
Meet Record: 4:39.39 by Heidi Dahl (ETSU) in 2009
Facility Record: 4:37.42 by Anna Vess (NC State) in 2022
Liberty Record: 4:38.52 by Heather Sagan in 2002
2022 Leader: Sarah Hendrick (Kennesaw State) – 4:43.69
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (Calli Doan – 2021)
Liberty Entrants: Adelyn Ackley, Priscillah Kiplagat, Marie Hostetler
Outlook: Liberty’s Calli Doan will be unable to chase her third consecutive ASUN mile title due to injury. That leaves Kennesaw State’s Sarah Hendrick, the 2021 ASUN 1,500 champion, as the top seed at 4:43.69. The Lady Flames’ Adelyn Ackley, who is attempting an ambitious triple this weekend (mile/3K/5K), is seeded No. 2 at 4:49.18. This should be a strong event for Lipscomb, which features the trio of Lydia Miller (4:50.48), Merabu Nagwandala (4:52.22) and Sydney Liddle (4:56.59). Liddle placed second to Doan a year ago. Hayleigh Palotti of Jacksonville also bears watching. She raced to the ASUN women’s mile title as a freshman in 2018 and owns a 4:52.03 personal best.
Women’s 3,000-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 2:20 p.m.
Defending Champion: Lindsay Billings (Kennesaw State) – 9:30.38
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Priscillah Kiplagat (Liberty) – 2nd place
Conference Record: 9:24.96 by Adelyn Ackley (Liberty) in 2022
Meet Record: 9:30.38 by Lindsay Billings (Kennesaw State) in 2021
Facility Record: 9:22.82 by Michaela Meyer (Unattached) in 2021
Liberty Record: 9:24.96 by Adelyn Ackley in 2022
2022 Leader: Adelyn Ackley (Liberty) – 9:24.96
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Liberty Entrants: Adelyn Ackley, Anna Hostetler, Noel Palmer, Priscillah Kiplagat, Kyley Sorg, Jamie Anderson, Marie Hostetler
Outlook: The women’s 3K is so deep (46 entrants) that it has been divided into three sections and neither the runner-up (Liberty’s Priscillah Kiplagat) nor the third-place finisher (Liberty’s Marie Hostetler) from 2021 find themselves in the fastest seeded section. The three fastest women’s 3K runners in ASUN history will all line up for section three. Liberty’s Adelyn Ackley raced to a Liberty and conference-record time of 9:24.96 at the Camel City Elite, while EKU’s Jone Zabaleta-Larranaga (9:26.28) and Laura Taborda (9:27.08) moved to No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, on the ASUN all-time list at the Music City Challenge. A Lady Flame has not won a conference title at the 3K distance since Ednah Kurgat raced to the Big South crown in 2016. Liberty has entered seven runners in the event in case it needs to mount a late comeback in the team battle. The Lady Flames’ entrants also include Anna Hostetler (No. 3 in program history at 9:33.61) and Noel Palmer (2019 ASUN women’s 3K runner-up).
Women’s 5,000-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 6:55 p.m.
Defending Champion: Adelyn Ackley (Liberty) – 16:25.24
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Ackley
Conference Record: 16:12.91 by Calli Doan (Liberty) in 2021
Meet Record: 16:25.24 by Adelyn Ackley (Liberty) in 2021
Facility Record: 15:37.12 by Katelyn Tuohy (North Rockland High School) in 2018
Liberty Record: 15:47.89 by Ednah Kurgat in 2016
2022 Leader: Calli Doan (Liberty) – 16:12.91
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Adelyn Ackley – 2021)
Liberty Entrants: Anna Hostetler, Noel Palmer, Kyley Sorg, Jamie Anderson, Adelyn Ackley
Outlook: Kennesaw State boasts the only two entrants who have broken 17:00 this season in Katie Meyer (16:49.64) and Nyah Hernandez (16:57.51), as the Owls chase their first ASUN women’s indoor 5K crown since 2011. Meyer made a late-race charge up to fourth place in last year’s 5K, helping the Owls claim the team title. Liberty will counter with a talented crew led by No. 3 seed Anna Hostetler (17:00.23), four-time conference 5K runner-up Noel Palmer and 2021 ASUN indoor and outdoor 5K champion Adelyn Ackley. Ackley, who has yet to contest a 5K this season, will try to become the first Lady Flame to claim back-to-back indoor conference 5K titles since Carol Jefferson was the 2006 and 2007 Big South champion. Other potential contenders include the seventh and eighth-place finishers from the 2021 ASUN Cross Country Championships—Lipscomb freshman Colbi Borland and EKU’s Laura Taborda.
Women’s 60-Meter Hurdles
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 3:55 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 12:35 p.m.
Defending Champion: Olivia Brown (Kennesaw State) – 8.65 (Second in a row)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Brown
Conference Record: 8.27 by Shanique Walker (Jacksonville) in 2014
Meet Record: 8.27 by Shanique Walker (Jacksonville) in 2014
Facility Record: 8.14 by Cha’Mia Rothwell (Unattached) in 2022
Liberty Record: 8.47 by Arlene Zelinskas in 2007
2022 Leader: Olivia Brown (Kennesaw State) – 8.45
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Jada Thomas – 2019)
Liberty Entrants: Amani Hankton
Outlook: Kennesaw State’s Olivia Brown and Corbin McLean went 1-2 in this event a year ago, and the Owls’ duo enters the ASUN meet ranked 1-2 again this season. Brown will try to become the first athlete to capture three consecutive ASUN women’s 60 hurdles titles since Jacksonville’s Natasha Harvey did so between 2007-09. Liberty’s Amani Hankton stepped up for a third-place finish as a freshman in 2021 and hopes to battle for a podium spot again on Saturday. She enters as the No. 5 seed with a season-best time of 8.86.
Women’s 4 x 400 Relay
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 3:20 p.m.
Defending Champion: Kennesaw State – 3:45.39
Conference Record: 3:35.79 by Jacksonville in 2020
Meet Record: 3:41.36 by Jacksonville in 2020
Facility Record: 3:39.60 by the Bullis School in 2018
Liberty Record: 3:39.06 in 2019
2022 Leader: Eastern Kentucky – 3:46.63
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (2019)
Outlook: Last season, Kennesaw State won the 4 x 400 relay to clinch the women’s team title. If the Owls hope to become the first back-to-back champion of this event since Belmont in 2007 and 2008, they will need to do so from the second of three heats, where they will line up alongside Liberty. The teams with the three fastest seed times (Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky and Jacksonville) will race in the third and final section of the meet’s last race.
Women’s Distance Medley Relay
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 7:40 p.m.
Defending Champion: Liberty – 11:41.12 (Third in a row)
Conference Record: 11:32.29 by Jacksonville in 2013
Meet Record: 11:32.29 by Jacksonville in 2013
Facility Record: 11:34.54 by Lake Braddock High School in 2017
Liberty Record: 11:41.12 in 2021
2022 Leader: North Florida – 12:24.01
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 3 (2021)
Outlook: Liberty has made history as the first team ever to win three consecutive ASUN women’s distance medley relay crowns (2019, 2020 & 2021). Naomi Armstrong (1200) and Calli Doan (1600) bookended each of the Lady Flames’ previous championship teams in this event, but neither is expected to race on Friday. As a result, the opportunity could be there for Kennesaw State to win this event for the first time. The Owls led for much of the race in 2021 before Doan made a late comeback for Liberty.
Women’s Long Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 5:30 p.m.
Defending Champion: Ayanna Johnson (Liberty) – 19-4.75 (5.91m)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Johnson
Conference Record: 21-8 (6.60m) by Natasha Harvey (Jacksonville) in 2008 and 2009
Meet Record: 21-8 (6.60m) by Natasha Harvey (Jacksonville) in 2009
Facility Record: 20-5.25 (6.23m) by Claire Bryant (Unattached) in 2020
Liberty Record: 19-10.25 (6.05m) by Ayanna Johnson in 2022
2022 Leader: Jasmine Akins (Kennesaw State) – 20-0.5 (6.11m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (Ayanna Johnson – 2021)
Liberty Entrants: Ayanna Johnson, Amani Hankton, Kamia Cooper
Outlook: Liberty’s Ayanna Johnson was a surprise ASUN champion in this event in 2021. Coming off a program-record 19-10.25 leap in her last outing, Johnson will aim to become the first athlete to successfully defend her title in this event since 2015 and 2016 (Kennesaw State’s De’Von Johnson). No Lady Flame has ever claimed back-to-back indoor conference long jump titles at the Division I level. Top seed Jasmine Akins of Kennesaw State reached 20-0.5 at this facility earlier this season at the Brant Tolsma Invitational. Jacksonville’s Adja Sackor can never be counted out of a horizontal jump competition. She took home the ASUN outdoor title a year ago with a personal-best 20-5.75 leap.
Women’s Triple Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Defending Champion: Jasmine Akins (Kennesaw State) – 40-9 (12.42m)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Akins
Conference Record: 43-2.25 (13.16m) by Adja Sackor (Jacksonville) in 2020
Meet Record: 43-2.25 (13.16m) by Adja Sackor (Jacksonville) in 2020
Facility Record: 47-7.75 (14.52m) by Thea LaFond (Unattached) in 2021
Liberty Record: 42-8 (13.00m) by Makenzy Mizera in 2021
2022 Leader: Adja Sackor (Jacksonville) – 41-9.75 (12.74m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Liberty Entrants: Lizbeth Joseph, Kamia Cooper, Meredith Engle
Outlook: Jacksonville All-American Adja Sackor is a considerable favorite to win her second ASUN indoor women’s triple jump title. Even though her season best (41-9.75) is well off of her personal best (44-4), it is still almost a foot longer than No. 2 seed Jasmine Akins of Kennesaw State. Sackor was the 2020 ASUN indoor champion with a meet-record leap of 43-2.25. Akins took the indoor title in Sackor’s absence last season before Sackor regained her crown outdoors. With program record holder Makenzy Mizera redshirting the season, Liberty’s top entrant is Lizbeth Joseph. The native of India took second to Akins in 2021 during her first meet as a Lady Flame. Liberty pentathlete Meredith Engle will make her triple jump debut as one of a possible nine events she will contest during the two-day meet.
Women’s High Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at Noon
Defending Champion: Mollie Speights (Kennesaw State) – 5-5.75 (1.67m)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Speights
Conference Record: 5-10 (1.78m) by Amy Stroder (North Florida) in 2008 and Anna Marie Ricciardi (ETSU) in 2007
Meet Record: 5-9.75 (1.77m) by Katerina Vodova (ETSU) in 2014
Facility Record: 6-0 (1.83m) by Morgan Smalls (Panther Creek High School) in 2020 and Shelby Tyler (Unattached) in 2019
Liberty Record: 5-10.75 (1.80m) by Kena Butts in 2005
2022 Leader: Bella Jackson (Lipscomb) – 5-9.75 (1.77m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Liberty Entrants: Meredith Engle, Kacy Cox, Anna Worth
Outlook: The women’s high jump has seen a youth movement the last couple years. Last season’s indoor (Kennesaw State’s Mollie Speights) and outdoor (Jacksonville’s Kristi Snyman) champions were both true freshmen. This season’s top clearances by ASUN high jumpers belong to true freshman Bella Jackson of Lipscomb (5-9.75), true freshman Jania Joseph of Kennesaw State (5-6) and Speights (5-6). Joseph and Speights give KSU a shot at its seventh consecutive first-place finish in the ASUN indoor women’s high jump. Jackson would become Lipscomb’s first-ever champion in this event. Snyman, a native of South Africa, will be a wild card on Saturday. She cleared 5-11.5 to reach the 2021 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships but will make her season debut this weekend. Liberty’s Meredith Engle, who will join Jackson in Friday’s pentathlon competition, owns the Lady Flames’ top leap of the year at 5-4.5. Lady Flame Anna Worth made it over 5-5 as a freshman in 2021 but is battling back from injury.
Women’s Pole Vault
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 1 p.m.
Defending Champion: Jada Smith (Kennesaw State) – 11-8 (3.56m)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Smith
Conference Record: 13-5.25 (4.10m) by Taylen Langin (Liberty) in 2022
Meet Record: 12-11.75 (3.96m) by Louisa Washburn (North Florida) in 2020
Facility Record: 15-1 (4.60m) by Alina McDonald (KMR Athletics) in 2022
Liberty Record: 14-0 (4.27m) by Andrea Wildrick in 2002
2022 Leader: Taylen Langin (Liberty) – 13-5.25 (4.10m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Taylen Langin – 2019)
Liberty Entrants: Taylen Langin, Emory Pafford, Mia Bowers, Naomi Armstrong, Marisa Bermudez
Outlook: Liberty hopes for big things in the women’s pole vault Friday afternoon. The Lady Flames boast three of the top four seeds in Taylen Langin (No. 1, 13-5.25), Emory Pafford (No. 2, 12-7.5) and Mia Bowers (No. 4, 12-5.5) along with last year’s third-place finisher, Naomi Armstrong. The 2019 champion in this event, Langin vaulted an ASUN all-time record 13-5.25 in her last meet, the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational. She was unable to compete at the 2021 ASUN indoor meet but returned to win the outdoor conference title. Pafford and Bowers have each earned ASUN Women’s Freshman of the Week honors this season and could threaten Langin’s Liberty freshman record of 12-9.5 from 2019. The meet record (12-11.75) could also fall for the third time in the last four years. Kennesaw State’s Jada Smith is the No. 3 seed, thanks to her personal-best 12-6 effort at the Brant Tolsma Invitational. She claimed the ASUN indoor title a year ago and will try to break up Liberty’s point potential in this event on Friday.
Women’s Shot Put
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 1 p.m.
Defending Champion: Naomi Mojica (Liberty) – 51-5 (15.67m) (Third in a row)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Mojica
Conference Record: 51-5 (15.67m) by Naomi Mojica (Liberty) in 2021
Meet Record: 51-5 (15.67m) by Naomi Mojica (Liberty) in 2021
Facility Record: 53-1.5 (16.19m) by Patience Marshall (Campbell) in 2020
Liberty Record: 53-5.5 (16.29m) by Mychelle Cumings in 2014
2022 Leader: Naomi Mojica (Liberty) – 51-1.5 (15.58m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 3 (Naomi Mojica – 2021)
Liberty Entrants: Naomi Mojica, Megan Mann, Myiah Scott, Sofia Mojica, Grace Artis
Outlook: As mentioned previously in this article, Liberty redshirt senior Naomi Mojica has yet to lose a conference shot put competition during her career. Mojica set the meet and all-time conference records (51-5) last season, becoming the first athlete ever to win three straight ASUN indoor women’s shot put championships. This season, Mojica’s top mark of 51-1.5 outdistances No. 2 seed Alyssia Richard of Jacksonville by more than 3.5 feet. Liberty’s Megan Mann produced a big personal-best of 46-0.5 at the Liberty Open, stamping herself as a contender to earn her first career All-ASUN medal.
Women’s Weight Throw
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 6 p.m.
Defending Champion: Chelsea Igberaese (Liberty) – 65-8.75 (20.03m)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Javon Joyner (Kennesaw State) – 2nd place
Conference Record: 67-9.75 (20.67m) by Sade Meeks (Jacksonville) in 2020
Meet Record: 66-5.25 (20.25m) by Kree Clark (Jacksonville) in 2016
Facility Record: 66-9.25 (20.35m) by Victoria Merriweather (Charlotte) in 2017
Liberty Record: 67-5.5 (20.56m) by Jocelyn Williams in 2014
2022 Leader: Grace Artis (Liberty) – 62-11.5 (19.19m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (Chelsea Igberaese – 2021)
Liberty Entrants: Grace Artis, Naomi Mojica, Megan Mann, Annika Hantho, Sofia Mojica
Outlook: The women’s weight throw promises an intriguing battle between the conference’s four 60-foot throwers this season—a pair of Liberty Lady Flames (Grace Artis – 62-11.5 and Naomi Mojica – 62-5.25) and two Kennesaw State Owls (freshman Kali Terza – 61-4.25 and Javon Joyner – 60-4.5). Mojica could have a chance to become the first ASUN athlete to sweep the women’s shot put and weight throw since Jacksonville’s Kree Clark in 2016. Joyner (second place) is the top returnee from last year’s competition. Teammate Terza could become the first freshman to win this event since Jacksonville’s Shunisha McClinton at the inaugural championship in 2006. KSU and Liberty weight throwers have alternated winning this event at each of the last four ASUN meets.
Women’s Pentathlon
Event Schedule: Begins Friday at 9:15 a.m.
Defending Champion: Anna Richardson (Lipscomb) – 3,562
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Richardson
Conference Record: 4,412 by Jordan Gray (Kennesaw State) in 2019
Meet Record: 4,202 by Jordan Gray (Kennesaw State) in 2019
Facility Record: 4,202 by Jordan Gray (Kennesaw State) in 2019
Liberty Record: 3,986 by Kylie Polsgrove in 2019
2022 Leader: Meredith Engle (Liberty) – 3,722
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Liberty Entrants: Meredith Engle, Myiah Scott
Outlook: The Lady Flames are still in search of their first ASUN pentathlon title after winning 10 pentathlon crowns during their time in the Big South Conference. Meredith Engle nearly got it done as a freshman last season but was edged by three points (3,562 to 3,559) for the top spot by Lipscomb rookie Anna Richardson, who captured the Bisons’ first-ever ASUN pentathlon championship. Richardson (second place) and Engle (third) are also the top two returnees from the 2021 ASUN heptathlon competition. Engle owns the ASUN’s top score of 2022 (3,722), with Richardson seeded second at 3,654. This is one of Lipscomb’s deepest events, as Bisons also own the No. 3 and 4 seeds in the form of freshman high jump ace Bella Jackson (3,500) and last season’s third-place finisher, Aislinn McElhaney (3,426). Eastern Kentucky’s Emma Garcia-Palencia is another athlete to watch after winning the OVC heptathlon championship in 2021.
Men’s 60-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 4:50 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 1:05 p.m.
Defending Champion: Christian Lyon (Liberty) – 6.77 (Second in a row)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Lyon
Conference Record: 6.66 by Drew Duggans (Kennesaw State) in 2015
Meet Record: 6.66 by Drew Duggans (Kennesaw State) in 2015
Facility Record: 6.63 by Davonte Burnett (Barton County CC) in 2020
Liberty Record: 6.71 by Christian Lyon in 2020
2022 Leader: Diamantae Griffin (Liberty) and Brandon Letts (Liberty) – 6.74
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (Christian Lyon – 2021)
Liberty Entrants: Diamantae Griffin, Brandon Letts, Christian Lyon
Outlook: Liberty’s Christian Lyon is the two-time defending ASUN men’s 60 dash champion. If victorious on Saturday, he would become first Flame ever to win three consecutive men’s 60 conference titles at the Division I level. Lyon was edged out for victory by teammate Diamantae Griffin at each of his last two meets. Griffin and first-year Flame Brandon Letts co-hold the conference lead at 6.74 with Lyon currently ranked third at 6.77. Griffin placed third in this event during his first meet as a Flame in 2021. No team has gone 1-2-3 in this event since Kennesaw State did so in 2016.
Men’s 200-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 6 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 1:40 p.m.
Defending Champion: Aaron Goodwin (Kennesaw State) – 21.05
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Christian Lyon (Liberty) – 2nd place
Conference Record: 20.99 by Christian Lyon (Liberty) in 2020
Meet Record: 20.99 by Christian Lyon (Liberty) in 2020
Facility Record: 20.68 by Caleb Boger (Barton County CC) in 2020
Liberty Record: 20.99 by Christian Lyon in 2020
2022 Leader: Diamantae Griffin (Liberty) – 21.03
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (Christian Lyon – 2020)
Liberty Entrants: Diamantae Griffin, Christian Lyon, Brandon Letts
Outlook: Liberty’s Christian Lyon set the Liberty, meet and ASUN all-time records with his winning time of 20.99 in 2020 and is the top returnee from 2021 (second place) with Kennesaw State’s Aaron Goodwin unable to defend his title this weekend. However, it is teammate Diamantae Griffin who is the top seed by a considerable margin at 21.03. Griffin is the reigning ASUN outdoor 200 titlist and owns the Liberty outdoor 200 record at 20.63.
Men’s 400-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 4:15 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 12:45 p.m.
Defending Champion: Jonathan Imes (Lipscomb) – 48.44 (Second in a row)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Imes
Conference Record: 46.07 by Alejandro Perlaza Zapata (Liberty) in 2019
Meet Record: 46.15 by Alejandro Perlaza Zapata (Liberty) in 2019
Facility Record: 46.15 by Alejandro Perlaza Zapata (Liberty) in 2019
Liberty Record: 46.07 by Alejandro Perlaza Zapata in 2019
2022 Leader: Jonathan Imes (Lipscomb) – 46.68
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Alejandro Perlaza Zapata – 2019)
Liberty Entrants: Michael Rose
Outlook: Lipscomb’s Jonathan Imes is aiming to become the ASUN’s first four-time men’s 400 dash champion after posting previous victories in 2018, 2020 and 2021. His top time this season (46.68) ranks No. 28 nationally and makes him the second-fastest performer in conference history. Behind Imes, the Central Arkansas pair of Tristan Lavan (47.48) and Armonte Paulk (47.77) ranks No. 3 and 4, respectively, all-time in the ASUN. Liberty’s only entry is Michael Rose. He has performed well at this meet each of the past two seasons, placing third as a freshman in 2020 and second to Imes in 2021.
Men’s 800-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 5:30 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 1:20 p.m.
Defending Champion: Jonathan Schwind (Lipscomb) – 1:49.72 (Third in a row)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Schwind
Conference Record: 1:48.01 by Jonathan Schwind (Lipscomb) in 2022
Meet Record: 1:49.72 by Jonathan Schwind (Lipscomb) in 2021
Facility Record: 1:46.59 by Alex Amankwah (District Track Club) in 2021
Liberty Record: 1:49.19 by Ally Kipchirchir in 2022
2022 Leader: Jonathan Schwind (Lipscomb) – 1:48.01
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Liberty Entrants: Ally Kipchirchir, Isaiah Schulties
Outlook: The only two ASUN runners ever to break 1:50 in the indoor 800 are entered here, including three-time defending champion Jonathan Schwind of Lipscomb (1:48.01) and Ally Kipchirchir of Liberty (1:49.19). Ranked No. 21 nationally, Schwind will try to become the first four-time men’s 800 victory in meet history and give the Bisons their sixth consecutive ASUN title in this event. Schwind reached the 2021 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the 800. The Flames’ record holder, Kipchirchir took second to Schwind a year ago. Liberty’s last men’s indoor 800 conference title came courtesy of Michael Todd (Big South) in 2016. North Florida’s Timothy Doyle, who has clocked 1:47.76 outdoors, is also entered, putting Schwind’s meet record from 2021 (1:49.72) in considerable jeopardy.
Men’s Mile
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at Noon
Defending Champion: Jonathan Schwind (Lipscomb) – 4:07.62
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Schwind
Conference Record: 4:01.27 by Ryan Drew (Liberty) in 2022
Meet Record: 4:07.62 by Jonathan Schwind (Lipscomb) in 2021
Facility Record: 3:56.79 by Antonio Lopez Segura (Virginia Tech) in 2022
Liberty Record: 4:01.27 by Ryan Drew in 2022
2022 Leader: Ryan Drew (Liberty) – 4:01.27
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Ryan Drew – 2020)
Liberty Entrants: Ryan Drew, Kyle Harkabus
Outlook: The men’s mile will forego prelims and go straight to finals, kicking off Saturday’s running event program with a bang. The field features the last four conference champions (Lipscomb’s Jonathan Schwind in 2018, 2019 and 2021 and Liberty’s Ryan Drew in 2020) and the four fastest milers in ASUN history. Drew clocked a Liberty and ASUN-record 4:01.27 at the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational two weeks ago, while Eastern Kentucky’s Ahmed Jaziri (4:02.93), Schwind (4:03.61) and EKU’s Jan Badia (4:06.14) rank 2-3-4 all-time in the ASUN. Jaziri, an All-American who owns the ASUN 3K record of 7:47.34 and won the conference cross country title in the fall, is focusing his attention solely on this event Saturday. Schwind’s meet record of 4:07.62 from last season will likely be threatened, and could we even see a sub-4:00 mile for the second consecutive meet at the Brant Tolsma Indoor Track?
Men’s 3,000-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 1:50 p.m.
Defending Champion: Ryan Drew (Liberty) – 8:13.56 (Second in a row)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Drew
Conference Record: 7:47.34 by Ahmed Jaziri (Eastern Kentucky) in 2022
Meet Record: 8:12.82 by Noah Perkins (North Florida) in 2019
Facility Record: 7:54.64 by Patrick Anderson (North Carolina) in 2022
Liberty Record: 7:48.24 by Sam Chelanga in 2011
2022 Leader: Ahmed Jaziri (Eastern Kentucky) – 7:47.34
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (Ryan Drew – 2021)
Liberty Entrants: Felix Kandie, Ryan Drew, Will Jefferson, Caleb Olson, Kyle Harkabus
Outlook: Liberty’s Ryan Drew will try to become the first athlete in meet history to race to three consecutive men’s 3K titles. However, he will be challenged by a deep field which required a seed time of 8:21.24 or faster to make the third (seeded) section. Drew has clocked a personal-best 8:07.53 this season to move up to No. 4 in ASUN history. All-American Felix Kandie sits No. 2 on that list at 8:03.38. North Florida’s Nathan Jubran, the defending ASUN 10K champion outdoors, posted an impressive 14:01.42 5K two weeks ago at this track and figures to contend.
Men’s 5,000-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Defending Champion: Felix Kandie (Liberty) – 14:39.20
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Kandie
Conference Record: 14:01.10 by Brent Leber (Lipscomb) in 2020
Meet Record: 14:04.75 by Brent Leber (Lipscomb) in 2020
Facility Record: 13:43.27 by Athanas Kioko (Campbell) in 2022
Liberty Record: 13:19.79 by Sam Chelanga in 2009
2022 Leader: Nathan Jubran (North Florida) – 14:01.42
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (Felix Kandie – 2021)
Liberty Entrants: Will Jefferson, Felix Kandie, Caleb Olson
Outlook: Liberty steeplechase All-American Felix Kandie will attempt to become the first ASUN men’s 5K back-to-back champion since USC Upstate’s Gilbert Kemboi won four years in a row between 2010-13. In order to do so, he will need to top a field that includes the two fastest runners in ASUN history—Lipscomb’s Brent Leber (14:01.10) and North Florida’s Nathan Jubran (14:01.42). Leber won the 2020 title in a meet-record 14:04.75 but has not raced yet this season. Flames freshman Will Jefferson will race his first collegiate 5K and could take aim at the program freshman record of 14:29.28 set by Jeremie Bourget in 2013. Jefferson already owns the Liberty freshman standard at the mile distance (4:06.63).
Men’s 60-Meter Hurdles
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 3:35 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Defending Champion: Felix Lawrence (Liberty) – 7.99
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Lawrence
Conference Record: 7.72 by Paris Williams (Kennesaw State) in 2020
Meet Record: 7.76 by Jovaine Atkinson (Liberty) in 2020
Facility Record: 7.71 by Kurt Powdar (Hinds CC) in 2020 and Jovaine Atkinson (Liberty) in 2018
Liberty Record: 7.64 by Jovaine Atkinson in 2018
2022 Leader: Jordan Atkins (Central Arkansas) – 7.94
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (Felix Lawrence – 2021)
Liberty Entrants: Felix Lawrence, Anthony Bryan, Zach Wendt, Cole Peterlin, Luke Anderson, Daniel Van Duren
Outlook: Last year, the 60 hurdles was a huge event for the Flames, as Felix Lawrence, Juan Pablo Germain Ronco, Anthony Bryan and Cole Peterlin went 1-2-3-4. Lawrence, Bryan and Peterlin are back in 2022, but the competition has gotten tougher. Central Arkansas’ Jordan Atkins is the lone ASUN hurdler to break 8 seconds this season, at 7.94. First-year Kennesaw State Owl Isaiah Ellis, who has run 8.18 this season, was a multiple-time All-Southern Conference performer while at Wofford.
Men’s 4 x 400 Relay
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 3 p.m.
Defending Champion: Kennesaw State – 3:12.97
Conference Record: 3:11.39 by Liberty in 2019
Meet Record: 3:11.65 by Liberty in 2019
Facility Record: 3:10.34 by St. Augustine’s in 2020
Liberty Record: 3:09.88 in 2018
2022 Leader: Kennesaw State – 3:11.96
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (2020)
Outlook: Last season, Kennesaw State ended Liberty’s six-year streak of winning conference titles in this event. The Owls could be poised to repeat with a season-best time of 3:11.96 that is just off the ASUN all-time (3:11.39) and meet records (3:11.65) set by the Flames in 2019. Liberty’s top quartet has only completed one 4 x 400 thus far in 2022, a 3:16.06 that was good for first place at the Liberty Open.
Men’s Distance Medley Relay
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 7:20 p.m.
Defending Champion: Liberty – 10:24.61
Conference Record: 9:57.30 by Lipscomb in 2019
Meet Record: 9:57.30 by Lipscomb in 2019
Facility Record: 9:50.29 by NC State in 2022
Liberty Record: 9:47.30 in 2018
2022 Leader: Central Arkansas – 10:07.09
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (2021)
Outlook: Last season, Liberty claimed its first conference distance medley relay championship since 2010. If the Flames hope to repeat, they will likely be challenged by an Eastern Kentucky squad that is loaded with mid-distance and distance talent.
Men’s Long Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 3 p.m.
Defending Champion: Quinten Clay (Liberty) – 23-7.5 (7.20m)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Clay
Conference Record: 26-2.25 (7.98m) by Bilal Abdullah (Kennesaw State) in 2016
Meet Record: 25-5.5 (7.76m) by Andre Dorsey (Kennesaw State) in 2014
Facility Record: 25-6.25 (7.78m) by Shakwon Coke (Barton County CC) in 2020
Liberty Record: 25-0.5 (7.63m) by James McKnight in 1994
2022 Leader: Quinten Clay (Liberty) – 25-0 (7.62m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 3 (Quinten Clay – 2021)
Liberty Entrants: Quinten Clay, Jeremy Davis, Reed Samuel
Outlook: Liberty has won the men’s long jump title at all three of its ASUN Indoor Track & Field Championships, each of which has come in unlikely fashion. Last season, the Flames’ Quinten Clay took the title with a 23-7.5 leap on the very first long jump attempt of his career. Clay, who went on to win the ASUN outdoor championship as well, reached 25-0 during his season opener way back on Dec. 2. That fell just one centimeter shy of the program record former NFL wide receiver James McKnight has held since 1994. Clay has not competed since then due to injury, but is slated to make his return this weekend. He will not find it easy to repeat, with three other ASUN athletes having gone over the 24-foot mark this season. The list includes KSU’s Kaelen Mitchell (24-7.25), KSU’s Kelvin Campbell (24-5.5) and Liberty’s Jeremy Davis (24-3.5). Campbell has posted a top-three finish in each of his three previous ASUN long jump competitions, including a runner-up effort behind Clay at this meet in 2021. Kennesaw State’s Andre Dorsey was the last back-to-back long jump champion at this meet (2014 & 2015). Kevin Octave was the last Flame to win consecutive indoor long jump conference crowns, with his victories coming in 2002 and 2003.
Men’s Triple Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 10 a.m.
Defending Champion: Kelvin Campbell (Kennesaw State) – 50-6 (15.39m)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Campbell
Conference Record: 53-4.5 (16.27m) by Andre Dorsey (Kennesaw State) in 2014
Meet Record: 52-7.5 (16.04m) by Andre Dorsey (Kennesaw State) in 2013
Facility Record: 53-1.5 (16.19m) by Shakwon Coke (Barton County CC) in 2020
Liberty Record: 51-0 (15.54m) by Darrel Jones in 2018
2022 Leader: Kelvin Campbell (Kennesaw State) – 50-5.5 (15.38m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Jonny Saintil – 2019)
Liberty Entrants: Jeremiah McCants, Jeremy Davis, Quinten Clay, Kennedy Sauder
Outlook: Kennesaw State has finished 1-2 in the men’s triple jump each of the past two years at this meet and has captured eight of the last nine indoor ASUN titles. Defending champion Kelvin Campbell (50-5.5 season best) tops three Owls listed among the conference’s top four athletes entering this weekend’s meet. The lone interloper is No. 2 seed Samuel Carter of Eastern Kentucky, who reached a personal-best 47-11.75 his last time out. Liberty’s Quinten Clay finished third a year ago, but Saturday will mark his first triple jump competition of 2022 and the third of his career.
Men’s High Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 6:20 p.m.
Defending Champion: Sultan Simms (Kennesaw State) – 6-11 (2.11m)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Simms
Conference Record: 7-3.75 (2.23m) by Andre Dorsey (Kennesaw State) in 2014
Meet Record: 7-3.75 (2.23m) by Andre Dorsey (Kennesaw State) in 2014
Facility Record: 7-3 (2.21m) by Tequan Claitt (Indiana Tech) in 2020 and Brenton Foster (Virginia) in 2019
Liberty Record: 7-2.5 (2.20m) by Kennedy Sauder in 2022
2022 Leader: Kennedy Sauder (Liberty) – 7-2.5 (2.20m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Liberty Entrants: Kennedy Sauder, Gabriel Willis, Zach Wendt, Quinten Clay
Outlook: North Florida high jumpers have claimed each of the last five ASUN titles they have competed for, but that streak will likely end Friday evening. Liberty freshman Kennedy Sauder cleared a program-record 7-2.5 at the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational two weeks ago, the highest jump by an ASUN athlete in six years. That mark has him tied for No. 9 nationally, including first among true freshmen, and likely headed to the 2022 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships next month. Behind him, last year’s champion (KSU’s Sultan Simms) and runner-up (Liberty’s Gabriel Willis) are tied for the No. 2 seed at 6-10.75. Reigning ASUN outdoor champion Quinten Clay of the Flames will high jump for the first time this season on Friday. No Flame has won an indoor high jump conference title since Kyle Wheeler notched his third Big South win in a row in 2014. Wheeler was also the last Liberty freshman to take home top honors, doing so a decade ago in 2012.
Men’s Pole Vault
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 5 p.m.
Defending Champion: Jack Rhea (Kennesaw State) – 17-1 (5.21m)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Rhea
Conference Record: 17-7.75 (5.38m) by Elliott Haynie (Gardner-Webb) in 2008
Meet Record: 17-1 (5.21m) by Jack Rhea (Kennesaw State) in 2021
Facility Record: 18-10.25 (5.75m) by Scott Houston (Vaulthouse Elite) in 2021
Liberty Record: 17-5 (5.31m) by Ken Howell in 1999
2022 Leader: Anders Janes – 15-11.25 (4.86m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Reilly Stroot – 2019)
Liberty Entrants: Anders Janes, Anthony Bryan, Zach Wendt, Hunter Flack
Outlook: Liberty’s Anders Janes will attempt to win his first indoor pole vault crown after claiming the ASUN outdoor championship in 2019. He enters as the top seed at 15-11.75. Kennesaw State’s Jack Rhea swept the ASUN indoor and outdoor crowns in record-breaking fashion a year ago before earning All-America honors outdoors. However, he has only made it over 15-9 in 2022. Owls freshman AJ Johnson has made it over 15-9 as well.
Men’s Shot Put
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 10 a.m.
Defending Champion: Tyler Blalock (Kennesaw State) – 60-10.75 (18.56m)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Blalock
Conference Record: 64-1.75 (19.55m) by Tyler Blalock (Kennesaw State) in 2022
Meet Record: 62-10.5 (19.16m) by Kyle Mitchell (Liberty) in 2020
Facility Record: 67-2.75 (20.49m) by Stipe Zunic (Nike/Croatia) in 2017
Liberty Record: 62-10.5 (19.16m) by Kyle Mitchell in 2020
2022 Leader: Tyler Blalock (Kennesaw State) – 64-1.75 (19.55m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (Kyle Mitchell – 2020)
Liberty Entrants: Kyle Mitchell, Jose Ballivian, Warren Barrett, Sam Mastro, John Hicks
Outlook: The men’s shot put promises to be one of the best events of the weekend, with the top five shot putters in conference history entered. They include the Kennesaw State trio of Tyler Blalock, Courtney Lawrence and Caleb Hartley and the Liberty pair of Kyle Mitchell and Warren Barrett, not to mention 2019 ASUN indoor champion Jose Ballivian of the Flames. Blalock, who edged Mitchell by one centimeter for the 2021 indoor title, ranks No. 17 nationally with his ASUN all-time indoor record mark of 64-1.75. Mitchell, who set the meet record at 62-10.5 in 2020, owns the ASUN outdoor standard of 64-9.75 and earned All-America distinction during the 2021 outdoor campaign. Liberty’s Mitchell, Ballivian and Barrett placed 1-2-3 in this event at the 2021 ASUN outdoor championship. However, KSU Owls Blalock (64-1.75), Lawrence (63-0), Hartley (60-8) and Anthony Harrison (59-5) enter Saturday’s competition ranked 1-2-4-5 in this year’s conference standings with Mitchell at No. 3 (60-10.75). No one has captured back-to-back titles in this event since Gardner-Webb’s Matt Knippen won the first two ASUN indoor men’s shot put competitions in 2006 and 2007.
Men’s Weight Throw
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 3 p.m.
Defending Champion: John Hicks (Liberty) – 62-7.75 (19.09m) (Second in a row)
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Hicks
Conference Record: 65-4.75 (19.93m) by Joe Frye (Belmont) in 2011
Meet Record: 65-2.75 (19.88m) by Martynas Sedys (Kennesaw State) in 2015
Facility Record: 76-9.75 (23.41m) by Alex Young (Unattached) in 2022
Liberty Record: 66-6.5 (20.28m) by Jon Hart in 2008
2022 Leader: John Hicks (Liberty) – 64-11.5 (19.80m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (John Hicks – 2021)
Liberty Entrants: John Hicks, Sam Mastro
Outlook: Liberty’s John Hicks has opened his collegiate career with back-to-back ASUN men’s weight throw victories and is seeded No. 1 again this year. His big personal-best mark of 64-11.5 at the Liberty Open was the top mark by a Flame in 14 years and the best effort by any ASUN thrower in seven years. Kennesaw State had claimed seven straight ASUN men’s weight throw crowns prior to Hicks’ arrival on the scene. Owls Anthony Harrison (62-3) and Lamar Gordon (61-8.5) are the only other two conference athletes to surpass 60 feet so far this season.
Men’s Heptathlon
Event Schedule: Day One – Begins Friday at 9 a.m.; Day Two – Begins Saturday at 8:30 a.m.
Defending Champion: Anthony Bryan (Liberty) – 4,921
Top Returnee from 2021 Meet: Bryan
Conference Record: 5,941 by Bilal Abdullah (Kennesaw State) in 2015
Meet Record: 5,600 by Bilal Abdullah (Kennesaw State) in 2015
Facility Record: 5,608 by Dylan Cooper (Athletic Lab TC) in 2022
Liberty Record: 5,537 by Markus Ballengee in 2018
2022 Leader: Anthony Bryan (Liberty) – 4,961
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 3 (Anthony Bryan – 2021)
Liberty Entrants: Anthony Bryan, Cole Peterlin, Daniel Van Duren, Zach Wendt
Outlook: Three different Liberty Flames have taken home first-place heptathlon finishes the last three years at this meet, including Kysheen Myrick in 2019, Branson Rolle in 2020 and Anthony Bryan in 2021. Bryan is back to defend his title, attempting to become the Flames’ first repeat conference champion in the heptathlon since Geren Woodbridge (2009 through 2011 in the Big South). Bryan officially ranks as the top seed with 4,961 points. However, teammate Cole Peterlin tallied 5,098 points while competing unattached at the Brant Tolsma Invitational, coming off of playing wide receiver during football season. Peterlin placed second to Bryan a year ago at this meet. Also competing unattached, the Flames’ Zach Wendt posted a personal-best score of 4,946 at the Liberty Kickoff. Kennesaw State’s Ian Jackson and Quann Shears placed 1-2 in the ASUN decathlon last season. However, it is freshman Jordan Fick who owns the Owls’ top score thus far this season (4,932). The only athlete entered who does not hail from Liberty or KSU is Central Arkansas’ Timon Dresselhaus, a native of Namibia. He boasts strong personal-best scores of 4,980 in the heptathlon and 6,647 in the decathlon. With only eight athletes competing, everyone who completes all seven events will score at least one team point.
