Liberty Track Preparing for Final ASUN Championship Appearance
5/9/2023 9:07:48 AM | Track and Field
Live Video (ESPN+ - Saturday Only)
The 2023 ASUN Outdoor Track & Field Championships will take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday at North Florida’s Visit Jax Track at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. It will mark Liberty’s fourth and final appearance at the event, with the Flames and Lady Flames set to join Conference USA next season.
The decathlon 100-meter dash will get the meet started Thursday at 11:30 a.m. It will conclude Saturday around 8 p.m. with the men’s 4 x 400 relay.
The Liberty men’s team is three for three in capturing ASUN outdoor team titles and has won 15 straight outdoor championships overall, also including a dozen in the Big South (2007-18). The Flames are tied with Oregon (Pac-12) for the second-longest active men’s outdoor track & field conference championship streak in the nation, trailing only Albany (17 straight America East crowns).
Meanwhile, the Lady Flames will attempt to return to the top of the ASUN standings after finishing second to Kennesaw State in 2022. Liberty was victorious in its first two ASUN Outdoor Track & Field Championships appearances (2019 and 2021).
North Florida is hosting the meet for the 14th consecutive time. The event will provide athletes with a great final opportunity to post qualifying marks for the NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round meet, which will be contested right back at Visit Jax Track at Hodges Stadium in two weeks (May 24-27).
How to Follow the Action
Saturday’s track events will be broadcasted on ESPN+, beginning at 4:40 p.m.
Live results will be provided by Half-Mile Timing throughout the meet.
Weather Report
The preliminary forecast for Jacksonville calls for a mixture of clouds and sunshine throughout the meet, with high temperatures in the low-80s each day. The greatest chance of precipitation is on Thursday.
Men’s Meet Preview
The men’s meet will feature a clash between two teams who are used to winning conference titles. As mentioned above, Liberty has won its conference outdoor track & field championship for 15 consecutive years. Meanwhile, Kennesaw State had claimed six straight ASUN outdoor crowns (2013-18) before the Flames joined the conference in 2019.
Kennesaw State has finished second to Liberty in each of the Flames’ eight ASUN Championship appearances to date (2019 indoor, 2019 outdoor, 2020 indoor, 2021 indoor, 2021 outdoor, 2022 indoor, 2022 outdoor and 2023 indoor).
This meet will mark the final clash between Liberty and KSU as ASUN rivals, but the Owls will follow the Flames to Conference USA in 2024-25.
Liberty boasts the No. 1 seed in seven events at this week’s championship. These include the 100 (Omari Lewis), 200 (Omari Lewis), 110 hurdles (Prosper Ekporere), 400 hurdles (Rayan Holmes), discus (Kevin Nedrick), javelin (Ben Shughart) and decathlon (Daniel Van Duren).
The following Flames will attempt to defend their ASUN titles from the 2022 meet this weekend: Felix Lawrence (110 hurdles and 400 hurdles), Kevin Nedrick (shot put and discus) and John Hicks (hammer). However, both 2022 long jump champion Quinten Clay and 2022 decathlon champion Anthony Bryan are redshirting the season.
Women’s Meet Preview
Liberty expects another fierce battle with Kennesaw State for the team title, after the Owls snapped the Lady Flames’ six-year outdoor championship streak (4 Big South, 2 ASUN) in 2022.
The Lady Flames edged the Owls by 16 points indoors this year, taking a slim 3-2 lead over Kennesaw State in ASUN women’s track & field team titles (including indoor and outdoor) since the COVID-19 pandemic nixed the 2020 outdoor meet.
The Lady Flames own the ASUN’s top mark of 2023 in seven events, including the 100 (Isis Brooks), 1,500 (Calli Doan), steeplechase (Doan), 5K (Doan), pole vault (Taylen Langin), shot put (Megan Mann) and discus (Annika Hantho).
Two Lady Flames will attempt to repeat their ASUN titles from 2022, including Isis Brooks (100) and Taylen Langin (pole vault), both of whom own the ASUN all-time records in their respective events. Langin is the two-time defending women’s pole vault titlist.
Men’s 100-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 4:45 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 5:55 p.m.
Defending Champion: Christian Lyon (Liberty) – 10.33
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Donald McClinton (Liberty) – 3rd place
Conference Record: 10.26 by Nicholas Mabilo (Kennesaw State) in 2023
Meet Record: 10.28 by Diamantae Griffin (Liberty) in 2021
Liberty Record: 10.19 by Diamantae Griffin in 2021
2023 Indoor Champion (60 Meters): Omari Lewis (Liberty) – 6.70
2023 Leader: Nicholas Mabilo (Kennesaw State) – 10.26
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (Christian Lyon – 2022)
Liberty Entrants: Omari Lewis and Donald McClinton
Outlook: The men’s 100 provided one of Liberty’s defining moments in 2022, as Flames Christian Lyon, Brandon Letts, Donald McClinton and Diamantae Griffin went 1-2-3-4 in the ASUN final. Third-place McClinton is Liberty’s only returner from that impressive sweep, but he will be joined by teammate Omari Lewis, who raced to the ASUN indoor 60 title in February in a program-record 6.70. Lewis is coming off a wind-aided personal-best 10.28 clocking at last week’s Liberty Twilight Qualifier. The ASUN’s fastest man so far in 2023 is Kennesaw State freshman Nicholas Mabilo, who clocked a wind-legal ASUN all-time record 10.26 at the Georgia Tech Invitational last month. He will not compete this week though. Only three different schools have won this event at the last 16 ASUN championships, as ETSU won eight in a row (2006-13), Kennesaw State captured the next six titles (2014-19) and Liberty has now gone back-to-back (2021 & 2022). This year’s top four seeds feature two Flames and a pair of Owls.
Men’s 200-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Thursday at 6:30 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 6:40 p.m.
Defending Champion: Diamantae Griffin (Liberty) – 20.38 (Second in a row)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Donald McClinton (Liberty) – 2nd place
Conference Record: 20.38 by Diamantae Griffin (Liberty) in 2022
Meet Record: 20.38 by Diamantae Griffin (Liberty) in 2022
Liberty Record: 20.38 by Diamantae Griffin in 2022
2023 Indoor Champion: Donald McClinton (Liberty) – 21.10
2023 Leader: Omari Lewis (Liberty) – 20.93
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 3 (Diamantae Griffin – 2022)
Liberty Entrants: Omari Lewis, Elonzo Burroughs and Donald McClinton
Outlook: Liberty Flames have raced to the men’s 200 title at all three previous ASUN Outdoor Track & Field Championships appearances, but two-time defending champion Diamantae Griffin has graduated. The Flames’ Donald McClinton took second place to Griffin a year ago and raced to the 2023 indoor title at this distance. Teammate Omari Lewis, who was the runner-up to McClinton indoors, is the only ASUN runner who has broken 21 seconds in 2023 (wind-aided 20.93). Liberty’s final entrant, Elonzo Burroughs, clocked a program freshman-record time of 21.10 earlier this season at the VertKlasse Meeting. The ASUN men’s 100 champion has successfully doubled up as the 200 winner 15 times in the meet’s 26-year history, most recently by Liberty’s Griffin in 2021.
Men’s 400-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 4:15 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 5:45 p.m.
Defending Champion: Tristan Lavan (Central Arkansas) – 46.77
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Malik Hussie (Kennesaw State) – 2nd place
Conference Record: 45.02 by Alejandro Perlaza Zapata (Liberty) in 2019
Meet Record: 45.56 by Alejandro Perlaza Zapata (Liberty) in 2019
Liberty Record: 44.86 by Alejandro Perlaza Zapata in 2018
2023 Indoor Champion: Armonte Paulk (Central Arkansas) – 47.61
2023 Leader: Jackson Gordon (Bellarmine) – 46.90
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Alejandro Perlaza Zapata – 2019)
Liberty Entrants: None
Outlook: The 400 is one of Liberty’s weakest events this season, as the Flames’ top ASUN seed is freshman Caleb Barkwell (49.76) at No. 12, and this will be the only event Liberty does not enter this weekend. Reigning indoor conference champion Armonte Paulk of Central Arkansas is redshirting the season, leaving 2022 outdoor runner-up Malik Hussie of Kennesaw State and 2023 indoor runner-up Jackson Gordon of Bellarmine as two top title contenders on Saturday. No one else in the ASUN has run within a second of Gordon (46.90) and Hussie (46.97) this season. Freshman Gordon will try to win Bellarmine’s first-ever ASUN event title (indoors or outdoors) in any track & field event, while Hussie will chase Kennesaw State’s first ASUN men’s outdoor 400 crown since 2015.
Men’s 800-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 6:15 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 6:05 p.m.
Defending Champion: Jonathan Schwind (Lipscomb) – 1:50.19
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Robert Pedroza (North Florida) – 2nd place
Conference Record: 1:46.40 by Jonathan Schwind (Lipscomb) in 2022
Meet Record: 1:48.52 by Nick Morken (North Florida) in 2018
Liberty Record: 1:48.70 by Bradley Prentice in 2018
2023 Indoor Champion: Brendan Pitcher (Liberty) – 1:50.94
2023 Leader: Ahmed Kadri (Eastern Kentucky) – 1:48.24
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Michael Todd – 2019)
Liberty Entrants: Brendan Pitcher, Isaiah Schulties and Ally Kipchirchir
Outlook: Liberty redshirt freshman Brendan Pitcher, a surprise winner of this year’s ASUN indoor 800 title, has continued his breakthrough season outdoors. He is coming off a personal-best and Liberty freshman-record 1:49.29 (No. 4 in program history) at the Liberty Twilight Qualifier. Lipscomb’s Ryan Speer (2016) was the last freshman to win this event at the ASUN outdoor meet. That same year, Liberty rookies Bradley Prentice and Michael Todd went 1-2 in the Big South 800 final. Prentice still holds the outdoor program record at 1:48.70. Only one ASUN runner has ever broken 1:49 at this meet (1:48.52 by North Florida’s Nick Morken in 2018), but three conference athletes have done so thus far in 2023—Eastern Kentucky’s Ahmed Kadri (1:48.24), North Florida’s Robert Pedroza (1:48.64) and North Florida’s Mac Franks (1:48.92). Pedroza (second place) is the top returnee from last year and is the only sub-1:49 runner entered in the 800 this week. Liberty indoor 800 record holder Ally Kipchirchir, a four-time All-ASUN performer at 800 meters, will look to close out his collegiate career in style, while Isaiah Schulties makes his ASUN Outdoor Track & Field Championships debut on the heels of a personal-best 1:50.26 outing at the Liberty Twilight Qualifier.
Men’s 1,500-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Prelims – Thursday at 7:05 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 5:15 p.m.
Defending Champion: Ahmed Jaziri (Eastern Kentucky) – 3:45.27
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Will Jefferson (Liberty) – 3rd place
Conference Record: 3:40.69 by Robert Pedroza (North Florida) in 2023
Meet Record: 3:42.02 by Shane Streich (Lipscomb) in 2021
Liberty Record: 3:41.26 by Ryan Drew in 2022
2023 Indoor Champion (Mile): Ahmed Kadri (Eastern Kentucky) – 4:04.22
2023 Leader: Robert Pedroza (North Florida) – 3:40.69
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Liberty Entrants: Kyle Harkabus and Will Jefferson
Outlook: Host North Florida owns the ASUN’s two fastest 1,500 times of 2023, as Robert Pedroza clocked a conference-record 3:40.69 and Mac Franks followed in 3:41.31 at the Florida Relays. Indoor mile champion Ahmed Kadri of Eastern Kentucky is coming off a personal-best 3:42.51 at last week’s Liberty Twilight Qualifier. Among that talented trio, only Franks will contest the “metric mile” in Jacksonville this week. Liberty sophomore Will Jefferson is the top returner (third place) from last year’s ASUN 1,500 final but is seeded just 11th at 3:47.36 entering the meet. The Flames’ Kyle Harkabus is a team-best No. 6 in the ASUN at 3:44.02 after placing fifth in both 2021 and 2022. No Liberty runner has claimed a conference title in the men’s 1,500 since 2014 (Caleb Edmonds).
Men’s 3,000-Meter Steeplechase
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 7 p.m.
Defending Champion: Felix Kandie (Liberty) – 8:37.96 (Third in a row)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Ahmed Kadri (Eastern Kentucky) – 2nd place
Conference Record: 8:18.70 by Ahmed Jaziri (Eastern Kentucky) in 2022
Meet Record: 8:37.96 by Felix Kandie (Liberty) in 2022
Liberty Record: 8:32.95 by Felix Kandie in 2021
2023 Leader: Abdelhakim Abouzouhir (Eastern Kentucky) – 8:36.56
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 3 (Felix Kandie – 2022)
Liberty Entrants: Will Jefferson
Outlook: Liberty’s Felix Kandie has graduated after winning each of the last three ASUN men’s steeplechase titles, leaving “Steeple U” (Eastern Kentucky) in great position to claim its inaugural ASUN championship in this event. Colonels Abdelhakim Abouzouhir (8:36.56), Pedro Garcia-Palencia (8:42.57) and Ahmed Kadri (8:47.10), the 2022 runner-up to Kandie, own the conference’s three fastest times of the 2023 season. Liberty’s Tristian Merchant made a promising steeplechase debut at the Liberty Twilight Qualifier, posting a time of 9:09.48. However, that sits just 12th in the ASUN this year with five EKU Colonels and four Lipscomb Bisons in front of him. Merchant will not run the steeplechase in Jacksonville, but teammate Will Jefferson will make his first attempt at the event.
Men’s 5,000-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 7:10 p.m.
Defending Champion: Ahmed Jaziri (Eastern Kentucky) – 14:33.98
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Aidan O’Gorman (North Florida) – 2nd place
Conference Record: 13:40.82 by Ryan Drew (Liberty) in 2022
Meet Record: 14:17.67 by Ryan Drew (Liberty) in 2021
Liberty Record: 13:20.43 by Josh McDougal in 2007
2023 Indoor Champion: Aidan O’Gorman (North Florida) – 14:02.90
2023 Leader: Abdelhakim Abouzouhir (Eastern Kentucky) – 13:47.71
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (Ryan Drew – 2021)
Liberty Entrants: Tristian Merchant, Jack Cottrell, Will Jefferson, Caleb Olson and Kyle Harkabus
Outlook: Top 5K contenders include the conference’s only two sub-14:00 runners this season (EKU’s Abdelhakim Abouzouhir – 13:47.71 and Liberty’s Tristian Merchant – 13:57.34) along with Aidan O’Gorman of North Florida. The Osprey standout swept this year’s ASUN indoor 3K and 5K titles after finishing second in this event a year ago. Liberty’s Merchant and Jack Cottrell finished an impressive 2-3 in this event indoors in February. After being contested in the heat of the afternoon in 2022, the 5K has been moved to Saturday evening in 2023. Nine of the last 10 ASUN outdoor men’s 5K champions had won another event earlier in the meet. Last year, Eastern Kentucky’s Ahmed Jaziri completed a sweep of the men’s 1,500 and 5K crowns before racing to the NCAA steeplechase national title four weeks later.
Men’s 10,000-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Final – Thursday at 9:15 p.m.
Defending Champion: Nikodem Dworczak (Eastern Kentucky) – 29:49.33
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Julian Haessner (Central Arkansas) – 2nd place
Conference Record: 28:44.90 by Abdelhakim Abouzouhir (Eastern Kentucky) in 2023
Meet Record: 29:30.48 by Nathan Jubran (North Florida) in 2021
Liberty Record: 27:08.39 by Sam Chelanga in 2010
2023 Leader: Abdelhakim Abouzouhir (Eastern Kentucky) – 28:44.90
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Azaria Kirwa – 2019)
Liberty Entrants: Caleb Olson, Jack Cottrell and Tristian Merchant
Outlook: The 10K is one of three ASUN events where EKU’s Abdelhakim Abouzouhir is the No. 1 seed, as he clocked an all-time conference-record 28:44.90 at the Raleigh Relays, but he is forgoing the 10K to focus on the other two (steeplechase and 5K). North Florida’s Aidan O’Gorman went 28:59.90 in that same Raleigh Relays race. Central Arkansas brothers Julian and Philipp Haessner return after placing 2-3 in this event last season. Liberty’s Caleb Olson was fourth in 2021 and fifth in 2022. He has clocked a personal-best 29:11.84 this year, putting him on the bubble for his first trip to the NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round meet. Teammate Jack Cottrell clocked a Liberty freshman-record 29:54.55 in his first try at the event at the Bryan Clay Invitational. Tristian Merchant, Liberty’s leader at the 5K distance, will contest the first track 10K of his career Thursday night.
Men’s 110-Meter Hurdles
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 5:30 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 5:35 p.m.
Defending Champion: Felix Lawrence (Liberty) – 14.25
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Lawrence
Conference Record: 13.73 by Dayo Akindele (Kennesaw State) in 2018
Meet Record: 13.75 by Paris Williams (Kennesaw State) in 2021
Liberty Record: 13.77 by Jovaine Atkinson in 2018
2023 Indoor Champion (60 Hurdles): Prosper Ekporere (Liberty) – 8.09
2023 Leader: Prosper Ekporere (Liberty) – 13.83
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Felix Lawrence – 2022)
Liberty Entrants: Prosper Ekporere, Felix Lawrence, Rayshawn Johnson, Daniel Van Duren and Isaiah Idore
Outlook: The 110 hurdles is one of Liberty’s deepest events. Despite redshirting three of the top seven finishers from this year’s ASUN indoor 60 hurdles final, the Flames boast five of the top seven names on the ASUN 110 hurdles chart in 2023. Leading the way is the duo of Prosper Ekporere (13.83) and Felix Lawrence (14.08), the No. 2 and No. 3 performers in program history for the Flames. Lawrence is the defending champion, while Ekporere and Lawrence went 1-2 in the indoor 60 hurdles this year. Ekporere’s 13.83 effort at the Bryan Clay Invitational has put him within reach of the conference (13.73), meet (13.75) and program records (13.77). Lawrence will try to become the Flames’ first back-to-back 110 hurdles conference champion since Micah Brinkley won three straight Big South titles between 2002-04.
Men’s 400-Meter Hurdles
Event Schedule: Prelims – Thursday at 5:55 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 6:25 p.m.
Defending Champion: Felix Lawrence (Liberty) – 52.32 (Second in a row)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Lawrence
Conference Record: 50.63 by Rayan Holmes (Liberty) in 2023
Meet Record: 51.28 by Wayne Newman (Lipscomb) in 2018
Liberty Record: 50.52 by Mike Reed in 1995
2023 Leader: Rayan Holmes (Liberty) – 50.63
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (Felix Lawrence – 2022)
Liberty Entrants: Rayan Holmes, Felix Lawrence, Zack Weekman and Josh Blalock
Outlook: The 400 hurdles is another deep and strong discipline for the Flames, who own the nation’s No. 6-ranked event squad. First-year Flame Rayan Holmes spearheads the group after running an ASUN all-time record 50.63 out of lane one at the Bryan Clay Invitational. That mark ranks among the top 25 nationally and is on the verge of Liberty’s record (Mike Reed’s 50.52) which has stood for 28 years. Two-time defending ASUN champion Felix Lawrence is coming off a season-best 51.84 effort at a very windy Liberty Twilight Qualifier. He will try to become the first three-time men’s 400 hurdles victor at this meet since Lipscomb’s Wayne Newman (2016-18). Mark Schittenhelm of Queens could be in the running as well, after racing to a personal-best time of 51.73 at the Charlotte Invitational in his most recent outing. Schittenhelm was the SAC champion and an NCAA Division II national qualifier in the 400 hurdles in 2022. Zack Weekman came in fourth in this event for the Flames a year ago.
Men’s 4 x 100 Relay
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 4:55 p.m.
Defending Champion: Liberty – 39.23
Conference Record: 39.08 by Liberty in 2022
Meet Record: 39.23 by Liberty in 2022
Liberty Record: 39.08 in 2022
2023 Leader: Kennesaw State – 40.08
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (2022)
Outlook: As part of its magical run to a 12th-place NCAA national finish last season, Liberty’s men’s 4 x 100 relay quartet raced to an ASUN title in a meet-record 39.23. Donald McClinton is the only holdover from that squad, leaving Kennesaw State (40.08 season best) as the favorite after the Owls’ string of seven straight ASUN 4 x 100 crowns was snapped in 2022. The Flames’ quartet of Rayan Holmes, McClinton, Omari Lewis and Jackson Birdseye competed together for the first time at the Liberty Twilight Qualifier, winning in a season-best 40.63 (No. 8 in program history). In Jacksonville, freshman Elonzo Burroughs is expected to replace Birdseye on the final leg. Liberty has not claimed conference men’s 4 x 100 relay titles in consecutive seasons since winning four straight Big South championships between 1998-2001.
Men’s 4 x 400 Relay
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 7:40 p.m.
Defending Champion: Kennesaw State – 3:09.21 (Second in a row)
Conference Record: 3:09.01 by Troy in 1998
Meet Record: 3:09.21 by Kennesaw State in 2022
Liberty Record: 3:07.28 in 1997
2023 Indoor Champion: Kennesaw State – 3:12.59
2023 Leader: Kennesaw State – 3:11.23
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (2019)
Outlook: Two-time defending champion Kennesaw State owns the ASUN’s fastest 4 x 400 time of 2023 by seven seconds at 3:11.23. Central Arkansas has placed second to the Owls at each of the last two conference meets in this event (2022 outdoor and 2023 indoor). Liberty is seeded No. 2 behind the Owls at 3:18.81 this season but will feature a much different-looking lineup than the all-freshman squad of Micah Dennis, Daniel Leja, Jackson Birdseye and Caleb Barkwell which posted that time at the Dennis Craddock Coaches Classic.
Men’s Long Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 4:30 p.m.
Defending Champion: Quinten Clay (Liberty) – 24-0.75 (7.33m) (Second in a row)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Kaelen Mitchell (Kennesaw State) – 3rd place
Conference Record: 25-7.25 (7.80m) by Tyler Stepp (ETSU) in 2013
Meet Record: 25-7.25 (7.80m) by Dayo Akindele (Kennesaw State) in 2017
Liberty Record: 25-6.75 (7.79m) by Chad Wilson in 2004
2023 Indoor Champion: Kaelen Mitchell (Kennesaw State) – 23-7.25 (7.19m)
2023 Leader: Kaelen Mitchell (Kennesaw State) – 24-11 (7.59m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (Quinten Clay – 2022)
Liberty Entrants: Daniel Van Duren, Shane Wang and Joshua Smith
Outlook: Liberty’s Quinten Clay will not be present to compete for his third straight ASUN outdoor men’s long jump title, as he is redshirting the season. In his absence, Kennesaw State’s Kaelen Mitchell (24-11) and David Olusanya (23-8.25) have been far and away the ASUN’s top two performers thus far in 2023, but Olusanya will not compete in Jacksonville. Mitchell also claimed this year’s ASUN indoor crown. Liberty’s Donald McClinton finished second to Clay a year ago but has yet to long jump during the current outdoor campaign and will not compete in the event this weekend. Decathletes Daniel Van Duren of Liberty and Quann Shears of Kennesaw State are tied for the No. 2 seed at 22-9.25, but both will be long jumping during day two of the decathlon, Friday afternoon.
Men’s Triple Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
Defending Champion: Samuel Carter (Eastern Kentucky) – 49-5.5 (15.07m)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Justin Campbell (Kennesaw State) – 4th place
Conference Record: 52-10 (16.10m) by Andre Dorsey (Kennesaw State) in 2016
Meet Record: 51-7 (15.72m) by Andre Dorsey (Kennesaw State) in 2013
Liberty Record: 52-1.25 (15.88m) by Clarence Powell in 2010
2023 Indoor Champion: Joshua Smith (Liberty) – 49-7.75 (15.13m)
2023 Leader: Kelvin Campbell (Kennesaw State) – 51-10 (15.80m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Liberty Entrants: Shane Wang, Joshua Smith and Isaiah Idore
Outlook: Kennesaw State’s Justin Campbell (fourth) is the only returner from last year’s five-person men’s triple jump final. He was on the verge of winning the event indoors in February before Liberty freshman Joshua Smith unleashed a personal-best 49-7.75 leap in round six to pull out the victory. KSU’s Kelvin Campbell has reached 51-10 this season, putting him two and a half feet in front of his closest competitor (Liberty freshman Shane Wang – 49-5) as he seeks the Owls’ eighth conference title in 10 years in this event. Liberty is searching for its first ASUN outdoor championship in this event although three different Flames have claimed ASUN indoor triple jump titles. The last freshman to win this event at the ASUN outdoor meet was ETSU’s Ryan Beaver in 2010. Liberty’s last freshman to earn an outdoor men’s triple jump conference victory was Anthony Bryant in 2009 (Big South).
Men’s High Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 5:45 p.m.
Defending Champion: Kennedy Sauder (Liberty) – 7-0.25 (2.14m)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Sultan Simms (Kennesaw State) – 2nd place
Conference Record: 7-3 (2.21m) by Gemikal Prude (Lipscomb) in 2014
Meet Record: 7-1.5 (2.17m) by Bobby Harris (North Florida) & Andre Dorsey (Kennesaw State) in 2016
Liberty Record: 7-1 (2.16m) by Kennedy Sauder in 2022, Kyle Wheeler in 2012 and Matt Parker in 2009
2023 Indoor Champion: Kennedy Sauder (Liberty) – 7-2.5 (2.20m)
2023 Leader: Juan Cavazos II (Kennesaw State) – 6-11.75 (2.13m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (Kennedy Sauder – 2022)
Liberty Entrants: Hunter Bleam
Outlook: Kennedy Sauder has opened his collegiate career with three straight ASUN men’s high jump titles (2022 indoor, 2022 outdoor and 2023 indoor), going on to earn All-America distinction each time. However, he is no longer part of Liberty’s roster. Kennesaw State’s Juan Cavazos II and Sultan Simms, who placed 2-3 behind Sauder indoors this year, own the top two clearances in the ASUN outdoors this season at 6-11.75 and 6-11.5, respectively. Eastern Kentucky’s Joshua Moore has cleared 6-10.75 this year, while 2019 champion Jaasiel Torres of North Florida is returning to his past form, having made it over 6-8.25. The only two Liberty athletes who have cleared high jump bars this season are decathletes Hunter Bleam (6-0.75) and Daniel Van Duren (6-0). Bleam cleared 6-6 in high school, but the event will take place sometime around the conclusion of the decathlon Friday afternoon.
Men’s Pole Vault
Event Schedule: Final – Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
Defending Champion: AJ Johnson (Kennesaw State) – 16-9.5 (5.12m)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Johnson
Conference Record: 17-6.5 (5.35m) by Jack Rhea (Kennesaw State) in 2021
Meet Record: 17-0.75 (5.20m) by Jack Rhea (Kennesaw State) in 2021
Liberty Record: 17-8.5 (5.40m) by Kolby Shepherd in 2012
2023 Indoor Champion: Simon Seid (Kennesaw State) – 16-9.5 (5.12m)
2023 Leader: AJ Johnson (Kennesaw State) – 17-2.75 (5.25m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Anders Janes – 2019)
Liberty Entrants: Anders Janes, Hunter Flack and Daniel Van Duren
Outlook: Kennesaw State’s AJ Johnson is the defending champion and top seed at 17-2.75 entering Thursday’s men’s pole vault competition. However, he took second to freshman teammate Simon Seid indoors. Liberty senior Anders Janes, seeded third behind the KSU duo at 16-4.75, won this event in 2019, making him the only non-Kennesaw State victor in the last seven ASUN Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Janes is a six-time All-ASUN vaulter for his career. Teammate Hunter Flack is seeded fourth after a season-best 15-9.25 effort at the Liberty Twilight Qualifier.
Men’s Shot Put
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 4:30 p.m.
Defending Champion: Kevin Nedrick (Liberty) – 60-3 (18.36m)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Nedrick
Conference Record: 65-6.75 (19.98m) by Tyler Blalock (Kennesaw State) in 2021
Meet Record: 64-9.75 (19.75m) by Kyle Mitchell (Liberty) in 2021
Liberty Record: 64-9.75 (19.75m) by Kyle Mitchell in 2021
2023 Indoor Champion: Courtney Lawrence (Kennesaw State) – 61-10.5 (18.86m)
2023 Leader: Courtney Lawrence (Kennesaw State) – 64-1.25 (19.54m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 3 (Kevin Nedrick – 2022)
Liberty Entrants: Kevin Nedrick and Desmond Coleman
Outlook: Liberty’s Kevin Nedrick and Warren Barrett went 1-2 in last season’s men’s shot put final in an event where the top four finishers were all Jamaicans. However, indoor All-American Barrett is redshirting outdoors and Nedrick is seeded just third (58-6) behind Kennesaw State’s pairing of indoor champion Courtney Lawrence (64-1.25 season best) and all-time ASUN record holder Tyler Blalock (62-4 season best). Liberty has won this event at all three previous ASUN Outdoor Track & Field Championships appearances, with current volunteer assistant coach Kyle Mitchell preceding Nedrick’s triumph with two of his own in 2019 and 2021. Queens senior Martin Knauer’s season best stands at 57-0.25, but he has reached 60-8 during his career and is a three-time first team All-American at the NCAA Division II level.
Men’s Discus
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 3 p.m.
Defending Champion: Kevin Nedrick (Liberty) – 191-5 (58.36m)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Nedrick
Conference Record: 194-5 (59.27m) by Kevin Nedrick (Liberty) in 2023
Meet Record: 191-5 (58.36m) by Kevin Nedrick (Liberty) in 2022
Liberty Record: 204-3 (62.26m) by Clendon Henderson in 2008
2023 Leader: Kevin Nedrick (Liberty) – 194-5 (59.27m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (Kevin Nedrick – 2022)
Liberty Entrants: Kevin Nedrick, Desmond Coleman, Christian Hicks and John Hicks
Outlook: The men’s discus was one of last year’s most competitive and entertaining events a year ago and promises much of the same Saturday afternoon. The top three throwers in conference history are all entered, including Liberty’s Kevin Nedrick (194-5), Liberty’s Desmond Coleman (194-3) and Kennesaw State’s Anthony Harrison (193-1). Nedrick threw a meet-record 191-5 to edge Harrison a year ago and went on to place 11th in the NCAA national final. The last freshman to claim an ASUN men’s discus title was Lipscomb’s Grayson Webber in 2015. John Talbert, whose Liberty freshman record Coleman broke earlier this season, was the last Flame to capture a discus conference crown as a freshman (2009).
Men’s Javelin
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
Defending Champion: Michaelangelo Bullard (Central Arkansas) – 211-3 (64.40m)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Kevin Nedrick (Liberty) – 3rd place
Conference Record: 227-1 (69.22m) by Denzel Pratt (Liberty) in 2019
Meet Record: 213-7 (65.11m) by Samuel Arter (Liberty) in 2021
Liberty Record: 234-11 (71.61m) by Steve Feister in 2016
2023 Leader: Ben Shughart (Liberty) – 214-9 (65.46m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (Samuel Arter – 2021)
Liberty Entrants: Ben Shughart, Brady Diller, Ethan Mylin, Hunter Bleam and Kevin Nedrick
Outlook: Michaelangelo Bullard of Central Arkansas halted Liberty’s streak of winning the men’s javelin at six consecutive conference meets in 2022. The top returner from that competition is the Flames’ Kevin Nedrick (third place), but that is still the only javelin competition of his two years at Liberty to date. Flames sophomore Ben Shughart threw only 167-10 in 2022 and did not make Liberty’s ASUN competition roster. However, he has reached 214-9 this year and tops the conference ledger. That mark has him 8.5 feet ahead of multi-event standout Quann Shears, who owns Kennesaw State’s program record of 206-3. The top seven javelin throwers in the ASUN this season are four Kennesaw State Owls and three Liberty Flames, making this a potentially key event on Saturday. Kennesaw State will also enter Ahmed Magour, who has not recorded a mark in 2023 but placed eighth in the NCAA national final a year ago, competing for Georgia.
Men’s Hammer
Event Schedule: Final – Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
Defending Champion: John Hicks (Liberty) – 212-8 (64.82m) (Second in a row)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Hicks
Conference Record: 247-10 (75.55m) by Daniel Haugh (Kennesaw State) in 2019
Meet Record: 246-2 (75.03m) by Daniel Haugh (Kennesaw State) in 2019
Liberty Record: 222-4 (67.76m) by Jon Hart in 2008
2023 Indoor Champion (Weight): Isaiah Rogers (Kennesaw State) – 75-11 (23.14m)
2023 Leader: Isaiah Rogers (Kennesaw State) – 233-5 (71.14m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (John Hicks – 2022)
Liberty Entrants: John Hicks, Stuart Folkerts and Christian Hicks
Outlook: Liberty’s John Hicks enters as the two-time defending ASUN men’s hammer champion and hopes to become the first Flame ever to win three men’s hammer conference championships. However, his top mark this season (212-11) is more than 20 feet behind that of Kennesaw State’s Isaiah Rogers (233-5), the reigning NCAA indoor weight throw national champion. Stuart Folkerts, who has returned to the Flames’ roster in 2023 after a year away from the sport, is seeded fourth at 180-3. He took fifth place in the 2021 ASUN hammer final.
Men’s Decathlon
Event Schedule: Day One – Begins Thursday at 11:30 a.m.; Day Two – Begins Friday at 10:30 a.m.
Defending Champion: Anthony Bryan (Liberty) – 6,956
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Quann Shears (Kennesaw State) – 3rd place
Conference Record: 7,405 by Paris Williams (Kennesaw State) in 2019
Meet Record: 7,286 by Bilal Abdullah (Kennesaw State) in 2016
Liberty Record: 7,800 by Brandon Hoskins in 2008
2023 Indoor Champion (Heptathlon): Anthony Bryan (Liberty) – 5,248
2023 Leader: Daniel Van Duren (Liberty) – 6,412
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (Anthony Bryan – 2022)
Liberty Entrants: Daniel Van Duren, Hunter Bleam and Isaiah Idore
Outlook: With defending champion Anthony Bryan of Liberty redshirting this season, third-place Quann Shears of Kennesaw State is the only returnee from last year’s three-person ASUN decathlon competition. Only two ASUN competitors have completed a decathlon this season, led by Liberty’s Daniel Van Duren (6,412). He took fourth place in this year’s ASUN heptathlon indoors. Freshman teammates Hunter Bleam and Isaiah Idore will make their decathlon debuts this week. Kennesaw State’s four-member decathlon crew also includes the 2021 ASUN champion (Ian Jackson) and this year’s third-place heptathlete (Jordan Fick).
Women’s 100-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 4:30 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 5:50 p.m.
Defending Champion: Isis Brooks (Liberty) – 11.35
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Brooks
Conference Record: 11.35 by Isis Brooks (Liberty) in 2022
Meet Record: 11.25 by Tanya Lawrence (FIU) in 1998
Liberty Record: 11.35 by Isis Brooks in 2022
2023 Indoor Champion (60 Meters): Kendelle McCoy (Central Arkansas) – 7.54
2023 Leader: Isis Brooks (Liberty) – 11.38
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (Isis Brooks – 2022)
Liberty Entrants: Isis Brooks
Outlook: Liberty’s Isis Brooks will attempt to defend her title after winning in a conference and program-record time of 11.35 last season. Her victory made it back-to-back first-place finishes for the Lady Flames after Abby Pantlitz raced to the women’s 100 crown in 2021. Brooks will try to become the first runner to claim consecutive ASUN women’s 100 titles since Jacksonville’s Jacquelyn Baldwin in 2016 and 2017. No Lady Flame has won conference 100 championships in back-to-back years since Ardra Samuel posted three straight Big South titles between 1995 and 1997. Eastern Kentucky’s Quantasia Perry finished second to Brooks a year ago, while Central Arkansas’ Kendelle McCoy was the indoor 60 titlist. However, it is Jacksonville freshman Mariandree Chacon (11.42) who ranks No. 2 behind Brooks on the 2023 ASUN performance list entering the week.
Women’s 200-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Thursday at 6:15 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 6:35 p.m.
Defending Champion: Quantasia Perry (Eastern Kentucky) – 23.35
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Isis Brooks (Liberty) – 2nd place
Conference Record: 22.98 by Jacquelyn Baldwin (Jacksonville) in 2017
Meet Record: 22.99 by Tanya Lawrence (FIU) in 1998
Liberty Record: 23.48 by Abigail Flower in 2013
2023 Indoor Champion: Kenisha Phillips (Austin Peay) – 23.68
2023 Leader: Kenisha Phillips (Austin Peay) – 23.28
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Abby Pantlitz – 2021)
Liberty Entrants: Isis Brooks, Jezelle Shaw, Dawn Hilton and Emily Coates
Outlook: Liberty’s Isis Brooks finished second to Eastern Kentucky’s Quantasia Perry in last year’s ASUN outdoor 200 final, but Brooks is the top returnee as Perry is not entered in 2023. She is looking up at top seed Kenisha Phillips of Austin Peay (23.28). The two-time defending OVC champion won this event indoors in February. Brooks’ season-best 23.53 clocking has her on the doorstep of the program record (23.48 by Abigail Flower from the 2013 Big South Championship). Brooks will likely need to break Flower’s record if she hopes to qualify for the NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round meet. The 100 champion has only come back to win the 200 half the time (13 of 26) in ASUN Championship history.
Women’s 400-Meter Dash
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 4 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 5:40 p.m.
Defending Champion: Chidinma Ogba (Jacksonville) – 54.20
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Zadie St. Louis (Central Arkansas) – 12th place
Conference Record: 52.25 by Brianna Frazier (North Florida) in 2012
Meet Record: 53.28 by Ty’Asia Dansbury (Liberty) in 2019
Liberty Record: 53.28 by Ty’Asia Dansbury in 2019
2023 Indoor Champion: Kenisha Phillips (Austin Peay) – 52.99
2023 Leader: Kenisha Phillips (Austin Peay) – 53.91
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Ty’Asia Dansbury – 2019)
Liberty Entrants: Jezelle Shaw, Dawn Hilton and Emily Coates
Outlook: In a bit of a rarity, none of last year’s nine finalists return to contest the women’s 400 this week. Austin Peay’s Kenisha Phillips, who was busy winning her second consecutive OVC 400 title at this time a year ago, is the top seed at 53.91. She sprinted to the ASUN indoor title in a record-breaking time of 52.99. Bellarmine looks to have a strong presence in the one-lap event, as Chloe Freilinger (runner-up) and Katrina Kamarute (third place) joined Phillips on the podium indoors. Liberty’s Jasmine Williams (fifth) and Nimeesha Coleman (eighth) were finalists indoors, but will focus on the 400 hurdles this weekend. In their absence, first-year Lady Flame Jezelle Shaw is Liberty’s top seed at No. 11 (56.40). She was the Crossroads League champion and placed seventh at the NAIA outdoor national meet in 2022 while competing for Indiana Wesleyan.
Women’s 800-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 5:50 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 6 p.m.
Defending Champion: Sarah Hendrick (Kennesaw State) – 2:06.03 (Second in a row)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Hendrick
Conference Record: 2:00.98 by Sarah Hendrick (Kennesaw State) in 2022
Meet Record: 2:04.43 by Sarah Hendrick (Kennesaw State) in 2022
Liberty Record: 2:06.09 by Jaime Watson in 2010
2023 Indoor Champion: Emma Sullivan (Jacksonville) – 2:06.75
2023 Leader: Sarah Hendrick (Kennesaw State) – 2:01.93
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Delaney McDowell – 2019)
Liberty Entrants: Annamarie McKenzie, Naomi Armstrong and Jessica Palisca
Outlook: Two-time defending champion Sarah Hendrick of Kennesaw State is a considerable favorite to join Jacksonville’s Bienna Freeman (2011-13) as the only three-time women’s 800 champions in meet history. The conference (2:00.98) and meet record holder (2:04.43) has gone on to place fifth in the NCAA national final each of the last two years following her ASUN titles. Lipscomb’s Kiara Carter and Kennesaw State’s Caroline Timm are the only ASUN runners within six seconds of Hendrick this season. Carter was the 2021 indoor champion in Hendrick’s absence and took second this year. All three of Liberty’s entrants have qualified to ASUN 800 finals within the last year. Annamarie McKenzie, coming off a personal-best 2:10.31 clocking at last week’s Liberty Twilight Qualifier, was ninth at this meet a year ago. Jessica Palisca and Naomi Armstrong placed 5-6 indoors.
Women’s 1,500-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Prelims – Thursday at 6:45 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 5:05 p.m.
Defending Champion: Sarah Hendrick (Kennesaw State) – 4:24.62 (Second in a row)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Hendrick
Conference Record: 4:14.92 by Heidi Dahl (ETSU) in 2009
Meet Record: 4:18.08 by Heidi Dahl (ETSU) in 2009
Liberty Record: 4:14.71 by Heather Sagan in 2002
2023 Indoor Champion (Mile): Sarah Hendrick (Kennesaw State) – 4:41.99
2023 Leader: Calli Doan (Liberty) – 4:15.34
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Calli Doan – 2019)
Liberty Entrants: Calli Doan, Katie Sigerud and Catherine Farrell
Outlook: Although she is best known as an 800-meter runner, Kennesaw State’s Sarah Hendrick is quite talented in the 1,500 as well. She is the two-time defending ASUN champion in the indoor mile and outdoor 1,500. If Hendrick hopes to become the event’s first three-time winner since Jacksonville’s Joane Pierre (2011-13), she will have to deal with Liberty’s Calli Doan and Owls teammate Caroline Timm. All three posted fast times at the Bryan Clay Invitational a month ago, including 4:15.34 for Doan, 4:15.71 for Hendrick and 4:16.18 for Timm. Hendrick defeated Doan in the indoor mile final, but Doan beat Hendrick head-to-head at Bryan Clay. Doan won this event as a true freshman in 2019, while Timm was an NCAA national qualifier in 2022 while competing for Princeton. Liberty’s Katie Sigerud (4:30.18 season best) could challenge the program freshman record of 4:28.39 set by teammate Jessica Palisca earlier this season.
Women’s 3,000-Meter Steeplechase
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 6:45 p.m.
Defending Champion: Laura Taborda (Eastern Kentucky) – 10:07.54
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Hayleigh Haid (Jacksonville) – 2nd place
Conference Record: 9:50.57 by Madi Talbert (Lipscomb) in 2015
Meet Record: 10:00.01 by Madi Talbert (Lipscomb) in 2015
Liberty Record: 9:57.15 by Calli Doan in 2023
2023 Leader: Calli Doan (Liberty) – 9:57.15
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Calli Doan – 2021)
Liberty Entrants: Calli Doan, Anna Hostetler and Kristiana Young
Outlook: The steeplechase’s top two seeds (Liberty’s Calli Doan – 9:57.15 and Jacksonville’s Hayleigh Haid – 10:04.34) have both won this event in previous years. Haid did so in 2019, while Doan claimed the 2021 ASUN title. No one has won multiple ASUN women’s steeplechase championships since Lipscomb’s Madi Talbert graduated in 2016 with four straight titles to her credit. Talbert still owns both the conference (9:50.57) and meet (10:00.01) records. Doan will try to become the first Lady Flame ever to race to multiple conference steeplechase titles at the Division I level. Liberty’s Anna Hostetler (10:54.73 personal best) is one of six steeplechasers in program history to break 11 minutes and one of five in the ASUN to do so thus far in 2023.
Women’s 5,000-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 6:45 p.m.
Defending Champion: Jone Zabaleta-Larranaga (Eastern Kentucky) – 17:07.42
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Zabaleta-Larranaga
Conference Record: 15:51.38 by Calli Doan (Liberty) in 2023
Meet Record: 16:21.96 by Heather Lee (Campbell) in 2004
Liberty Record: 15:48.63 by Ednah Kurgat in 2016
2023 Indoor Champion: Calli Doan (Liberty) – 16:35.87
2023 Leader: Calli Doan (Liberty) – 15:51.38
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Adelyn Ackley-Fairley – 2021)
Liberty Entrants: Adelyn Ackley-Fairley, Noel Palmer, Catherine Farrell, Anna Hostetler and Kristiana Young
Outlook: Liberty’s Calli Doan clocked an ASUN all-time-record 15:51.38 5K earlier this season and won this event indoors in February. However, she will focus on other events this week in Jacksonville. Lipscomb’s Lydia Miller, whose ASUN record (15:52.20) Doan broke, and teammate Colbi Borland (15:58.83) headline the entrants. Coming off a victory in the Penn Relays 10K, Eastern Kentucky’s Jone Zabaleta-Larranaga will attempt to defend her 5K title Saturday evening. The Lady Flames’ top entrants include Adelyn Ackley-Fairley (2021 champion) and Noel Palmer (2019 runner-up).
Women’s 10,000-Meter Run
Event Schedule: Final – Thursday at 8:30 p.m.
Defending Champion: Katie Meyer (Kennesaw State) – 35:27.62 (Second in a row)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Ally Suyak (Lipscomb) – 2nd place
Conference Record: 33:43.36 by Eden Meyer (North Florida) in 2017
Meet Record: 35:07.59 by Mackenzie Howe (Kennesaw State) in 2011
Liberty Record: 33:49.00 by Adelyn Ackley-Fairley in 2022
2023 Leader: Jone Zabaleta-Larranaga (Eastern Kentucky) – 33:55.24
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Liberty Entrants: Adelyn Ackley-Fairley and Noel Palmer
Outlook: Eastern Kentucky’s Jone Zabaleta-Larranaga (33:55.24 to win Penn Relays), Liberty’s Adelyn Ackley-Fairley (34:02.76) and Lipscomb’s Colbi Borland (34:12.68) have established themselves as the ASUN’s big three in the 10K this season, but Zabaleta-Larranaga and Borland are not entered in Thursday’s race. All three 10Ks of Ackley-Fairley’s career have been impressive, including a program-record 33:49.00 at the 2022 Virginia Challenge, a 14th-place finish at the 2022 NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round meet and a 34:02.76 at this year’s Bryan Clay Invitational. If the weather is not too hot, the meet record (35:07.59) which has stood for a dozen years could be challenged. Liberty’s Noel Palmer, who is seeded No. 6 in the conference at 35:44.23, will race a 10K at a conference meet for the first time in her career. She is a four-time conference runner-up at the 5K distance, including the Big South and ASUN Championships. No Lady Flame has won this event at a conference meet since 2016 (Ednah Kurgat – Big South). Surprisingly, Lipscomb has only claimed one ASUN women’s 10K title in program history—Sally Larson’s triumph in 2014.
Women’s 100-Meter Hurdles
Event Schedule: Prelims – Friday at 5:10 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 5:25 p.m.
Defending Champion: Olivia Brown (Kennesaw State) – 13.43 (Second in a row)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Brown
Conference Record: 13.16 by Shanique Walker (Jacksonville) in 2013
Meet Record: 13.16 by Shanique Walker (Jacksonville) in 2013
Liberty Record: 13.65 by Olivia Charnuski in 2010
2023 Indoor Champion (60 Hurdles): Melanie Welsing (Queens) – 8.32
2023 Leader: Corbin McLean (Kennesaw State) – 13.21
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Jada Thomas – 2019)
Liberty Entrants: Jasmine Williams
Outlook: Kennesaw State’s Olivia Brown is the two-time defending ASUN women’s 100 hurdles champion. However, it has been her teammate Corbin McLean (13.21) and ASUN indoor 60 hurdles champion Melanie Welsing of Queens (13.27) setting the conference on fire this season. Welsing was the NCAA Division II national champion in this event in 2021. Liberty’s Jasmine Williams, who placed fourth in the ASUN indoor 60 hurdles final in February, is seeded No. 3 at 13.73. That has the first-year Lady Flame nearing Olivia Charnuski’s 13.65 program record from 2010.
Women’s 400-Meter Hurdles
Event Schedule: Prelims – Thursday at 5:35 p.m.; Final – Saturday at 6:15 p.m.
Defending Champion: Imani Christian (Kennesaw State) – 1:00.02
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Christian
Conference Record: 57.28 by Jocselyn Powell (Kennesaw State) in 2018
Meet Record: 58.52 by Jocselyn Powell (Kennesaw State) in 2016
Liberty Record: 58.46 by Kimone Green in 2018
2023 Leader: Melanie Welsing (Queens) – 59.35
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Kylie Polsgrove – 2019)
Liberty Entrants: Jasmine Williams and Nimeesha Coleman
Outlook: Kennesaw State’s Imani Christian is the ASUN’s defending champion in the women’s 400 hurdles. But she is seeded third (1:01.91) behind two runners who were not part of the ASUN last season—Melanie Welsing of Queens (59.35) and Jasmine Williams of Liberty (1:01.24). Williams came in sixth in the 2021 and 2022 Sun Belt 400 hurdles finals while representing ULM. Liberty’s Nimeesha Coleman, the No. 5 seed at 1:03.48, placed second in 2021 and fourth a year ago. Jocselyn Powell of Kennesaw State (2018) was the last conference athlete to sweep the 100 and 400 hurdles titles.
Women’s 4 x 100 Relay
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 4:45 p.m.
Defending Champion: Jacksonville – 44.66 (Fourth in a row)
Conference Record: 43.50 by Jacksonville in 2019
Meet Record: 44.32 by Jacksonville in 2019
Liberty Record: 44.80 in 2018
2023 Leader: Eastern Kentucky – 46.27
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Outlook: Jacksonville has won the ASUN women’s 4 x 100 relay title four straight times and in 10 of the last 13 seasons, but the Dolphins have yet to contest the event in 2023 and will have to race in the slower seeded heat. Kennesaw State, which has won the three times Jacksonville did not during the past 13 years, is one of four teams to run between 46.27 and 46.68 this year (also Eastern Kentucky, Central Arkansas and Liberty).
Women’s 4 x 400 Relay
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Defending Champion: Jacksonville – 3:38.20 (Fourth in a row)
Conference Record: 3:33.20 by Liberty in 2019
Meet Record: 3:35.77 by Jacksonville in 2019
Liberty Record: 3:33.20 in 2019
2023 Indoor Champion: Austin Peay – 3:44.47
2023 Leader: Kennesaw State – 3:43.25
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Outlook: Jacksonville enters as the four-time defending 4 x 400 relay champion, but Kennesaw State is the top seed at 3:43.25 and Austin Peay won indoors behind a sparkling anchor leg from Kenisha Phillips. Liberty is seeking its first ASUN 4 x 400 relay crown. Even the Lady Flames’ squad which advanced to the NCAA national meet in 2019 placed a close second to Jacksonville in the ASUN final.
Women’s Long Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 2:15 p.m.
Defending Champion: Jasmine Akins (Kennesaw State) – 19-11.75 (6.09m)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Aislinn McElhaney (Lipscomb) – 4th place
Conference Record: 21-5.25 (6.53m) by Natasha Harvey (Jacksonville) in 2006
Meet Record: 20-9 (6.32m) by Natasha Harvey (Jacksonville) in 2006
Liberty Record: 20-8 (6.30m) by Ayanna Johnson in 2022
2023 Indoor Champion: Amani Sharif (Austin Peay) – 19-4 (5.89m)
2023 Leader: Aislinn McElhaney (Lipscomb) – 20-8 (6.30m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Liberty Entrants: Makenzy Mizera and Rebecca Allen
Outlook: Last year’s fourth (Lipscomb’s Aislinn McElhaney – 20-8) and fifth-place finishers (Kennesaw State’s Tayla Moreland – 19-11.5) are the only two ASUN women’s long jumpers to go over six meters this season. McElhaney will try to win the Bisons’ first-ever ASUN title in this event. It has been 20 years since Liberty captured an outdoor women’s long jump conference title (Danielle McNaney – Big South in 2003). The Lady Flames’ Makenzy Mizera, seeded No. 7 at 19-0.5, was the 2020 indoor champion and 2021 outdoor runner-up. Reigning indoor conference champion Amani Sharif of Austin Peay is the No. 3 seed with a season-best mark of 19-5.5.
Women’s Triple Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 4 p.m.
Defending Champion: Adja Sackor (Jacksonville) – 42-6.25 (12.96m) (Third in a row)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Tayla Moreland (Kennesaw State) – 4th place
Conference Record: 45-4.25 (13.82m) by Shonda Swift (FIU) in 1997
Meet Record: 44-3.25 (13.49m) by Adja Sackor (Jacksonville) in 2021
Liberty Record: 42-6 (12.95m) by Makenzy Mizera in 2021
2023 Indoor Champion: Makenzy Mizera (Liberty) – 41-5.25 (12.63m)
2023 Leader: Tayla Moreland (Kennesaw State) – 41-5 (12.62m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Liberty Entrants: Makenzy Mizera, Emma Arblaster, Rebecca Allen, Kacy Cox and Meredith Engle
Outlook: Jacksonville’s Adja Sackor is the three-time defending champion in the women’s triple jump. But she has graduated and is now part of the Dolphins’ coaching staff. Janae Jones was the Lady Flames’ most recent conference triple jump champion, taking Big South top honors in 2015. Makenzy Mizera has a chance to end that drought on Saturday. She claimed the ASUN indoor title in February and is the No. 2 seed at 40-9. The top seed belongs to Kennesaw State’s Tayla Moreland at 41-5. She is the top returnee from last year (fourth place), placed second to Mizera indoors and will try to win the Owls’ first outdoor crown in this event since 2010 (Jill Arthur). Liberty’s Meredith Engle will participate in the outdoor triple jump for the first time in her collegiate career Saturday afternoon, marking her 10th and final event of the three-day meet. She has triple jumped twice indoors, resulting in fourth-place showings at the 2022 and 2023 ASUN meets.
Women’s High Jump
Event Schedule: Final – Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Defending Champion: Bella Jackson (Lipscomb) – 5-10.5 (1.79m)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Jackson
Conference Record: 6-0 (1.83m) by Kristi Snyman (Jacksonville) in 2023 and Kristen Pace (Georgia State) in 2004
Meet Record: 5-11.25 (1.81m) by Ann Larsen (UCF) in 2005
Liberty Record: 5-10 (1.78m) by Kena Butts in 2005
2023 Indoor Champion: Kristi Snyman (Jacksonville) – 6-0.75 (1.85m)
2023 Leader: Kristi Snyman (Jacksonville) – 6-0 (1.83m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): None
Liberty Entrants: Meredith Engle, Patasha Bryan and Kacy Cox
Outlook: Thursday evening’s women’s high jump competition will feature three athletes who have combined to win the last five ASUN titles. These include Kennesaw State’s Mollie Speights (2021 indoor), Jacksonville’s Kristi Snyman (2021 outdoor and 2023 indoor) and Lipscomb’s Bella Jackson (2022 indoor and 2022 outdoor). Snyman cleared 6-0 earlier this season to tie the all-time conference record after making it over 6-0.75 to win the ASUN indoor title in February.. Meredith Engle leads the way for Liberty this season at 5-8, but she and Patasha Bryan will each be contesting their sixth event of the day, also including the four day-one heptathlon disciplines and the javelin. Talented heptathlete Melanie Welsing of Queens, who has cleared 5-9.75 this season, will also be in a similar situation Thursday evening. The Lady Flames’ Kacy Cox stepped up to tie for third in the ASUN indoor high jump this year.
Women’s Pole Vault
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 3 p.m.
Defending Champion: Taylen Langin (Liberty) – 12-9.5 (3.90m) (Second in a row)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Langin
Conference Record: 13-9.25 (4.20m) by Taylen Langin (Liberty) in 2023
Meet Record: 13-7.25 (4.15m) by Erica Sergeant (Kennesaw State) in 2019
Liberty Record: 14-3.25 (4.35m) by Andrea Wildrick in 2002
2023 Indoor Champion: Karlijn Schouten (Austin Peay) – 13-9.75 (4.21m)
2023 Leader: Taylen Langin (Liberty) – 13-9.25 (4.20m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (Taylen Langin – 2022)
Liberty Entrants: Taylen Langin, Mia Bowers and Emory Pafford
Outlook: The women’s pole vault figures to be a showdown between Liberty’s Taylen Langin and Austin Peay’s Karlijn Schouten. Langin is the two-time defending ASUN champion outdoors and cleared an ASUN all-time record 13-9.25 at the Bryan Clay Invitational last month. Schouten won indoors with an ASUN all-time indoor record clearance of 13-9.75. She was also the 2021 OVC outdoor champion in this event. Langin will try to join Kennesaw State’s Erica Sergeant (2017-19) as the only three-time outdoor champions in this event. Andrea Wildrick (2000-02, Big South) is the Lady Flames’ only three-time outdoor titlist in the women’s pole vault at the Division I level. Liberty sophomore Mia Bowers, the No. 3 seed at 12-6.75, took second to Langin a year ago. Kennesaw State’s Katie Jones is a wild card. The third-place finisher at this year’s ASUN indoor meet, owns a personal best of 14-1.75 and took seventh in the Big Ten for Penn State a year ago.
Women’s Shot Put
Event Schedule: Final – Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
Defending Champion: Naomi Mojica (Liberty) – 51-11 (15.82m) (Third in a row)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Alyssia Richard (Jacksonville) – 2nd place
Conference Record: 53-0.75 (16.17m) by Naomi Mojica (Liberty) in 2021
Meet Record: 52-5.5 (15.99m) by Naomi Mojica (Liberty) in 2021
Liberty Record: 53-0.75 (16.17m) by Naomi Mojica in 2021
2023 Indoor Champion: Megan Mann (Liberty) – 48-5.5 (14.77m)
2023 Leader: Megan Mann (Liberty) – 48-6.75 (14.80m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 3 (Naomi Mojica – 2022)
Liberty Entrants: Megan Mann, Myiah Scott and Sofia Mojica
Outlook: Liberty women’s shot putters have won 15 straight conference titles (indoors and outdoors), an impressive streak which began with Mychelle Cumings’ first-place finish at the 2015 Big South Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Naomi Mojica graduated in 2022 after winning nine of those crowns. Megan Mann, who kept the streak going indoors in February, is the top seed at 48-6.75. She figures to be challenged by No. 2 seed Eriana Sanford of Kennesaw State (48-2), 2023 indoor runner-up Alana Lecointe of Jacksonville (47-3.75) and 2022 outdoor runner-up Alyssia Richard of Jacksonville (47-2.5). Kennesaw State has not won this event in a decade, since Gwennetta Jones’ crown in 2013.
Women’s Discus
Event Schedule: Final – Friday at 2 p.m.
Defending Champion: Alyssia Richard (Jacksonville) – 163-2 (49.74m)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Richard
Conference Record: 185-1 (56.41m) by Kree Clark (Jacksonville) in 2015
Meet Record: 172-6 (52.58m) by Kree Clark (Jacksonville) in 2016
Liberty Record: 179-6 (54.71m) by Chelsea Igberaese in 2019
2023 Leader: Annika Hantho (Liberty) – 165-6 (50.44m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Chelsea Igberaese – 2021)
Liberty Entrants: Annika Hantho, Megan Mann, Sofia Mojica and Kali Grayson
Outlook: The Lady Flames never won a conference discus title until 2012, but a victory on Friday would be their seventh in the last 11 conference championships. Liberty enters the event with juniors seeded 1-2-3 in the conference, including Annika Hantho (personal-best 165-6 at last week’s Liberty Twilight Qualifier), Megan Mann (163-1) and Sofia Mojica (156-3). However, the Lady Flames entered last year’s discus competition in a similar situation and Jacksonville’s Alyssia Richard emerged as an upset victor. She is back this season, with a top mark of 154-2, and will try to become the first back-to-back ASUN women’s discus champion since JU’s Kree Clark won four in a row between 2013-16. Eriana Sanford of Kennesaw State will try to break up the Lady Flames’ point potential in this event. She is just one centimeter behind Mojica this season at 156-2.
Women’s Javelin
Event Schedule: Final – Thursday at 2 p.m.
Defending Champion: Greta Romei (Jacksonville State) – 147-0 (44.82m)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Kaitlyn Corral (Kennesaw State) – 2nd place
Conference Record: 179-8 (54.77m) by Marija Bogavac (Kennesaw State) in 2016
Meet Record: 162-1 (49.42m) by Marija Bogavac (Kennesaw State) in 2016
Liberty Record: 161-7 (49.26m) by Brenna Smith in 2018
2023 Leader: Kaylee Clark (Kennesaw State) – 161-2 (49.13m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 2 (Mackenzie Hainley – 2021)
Liberty Entrants: Kali Grayson, Meredith Engle, Patasha Bryan and Mackenzie White
Outlook: Kennesaw State hopes for big things in the women’s javelin, as the Owls will enter the top seed (Kaylee Clark – 161-2) and top returnee from 2022 (Kaitlyn Corral – second place). Liberty’s Kali Grayson, seeded No. 2 at 150-9, is the Lady Flames’ top returner from last year’s competition (fifth place). The 2022 third-place finisher (Megan Fortner, then of Jacksonville State) is now a Liberty student. However, she is part of the softball team which will be playing in the ASUN Softball Championships at Stetson this week. Liberty heptathletes Meredith Engle (136-3) and Patasha Bryan (129-11) have each recorded personal bests this season and will throw the heptathlon amidst their day-one heptathlon disciplines Thursday afternoon.
Women’s Hammer
Event Schedule: Final – Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
Defending Champion: Naomi Mojica (Liberty) – 195-8 (59.65m)
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Kali Terza (Kennesaw State) – 2nd place
Conference Record: 211-1 (64.33m) by Kali Terza (Kennesaw State) in 2023
Meet Record: 195-8 (59.65m) by Naomi Mojica (Liberty) in 2022
Liberty Record: 206-6 (62.94m) by Dasiana Larson in 2018
2023 Indoor Champion (Weight): Paola Bueno (Liberty) – 64-8 (19.71m)
2023 Leader: Kali Terza (Kennesaw State) – 211-1 (64.33m)
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 3 (Naomi Mojica – 2022)
Liberty Entrants: Paola Bueno, Megan Mann, Annika Hantho and Sofia Mojica
Outlook: Liberty has won the women’s hammer at each of its three previous ASUN Outdoor Track & Field Championships appearances. However, 2022 runner-up Kali Terza of Kennesaw State is this year’s clear No. 1 seed with an ASUN all-time record mark of 211-1 in Jacksonville two weeks ago. Liberty is led No. 2 seed Paola Bueno, who owns the program freshman record of 191-11 and claimed the ASUN weight throw crown indoors. Both competed at the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships, with Bueno taking the silver medal for Mexico and Terza placing 21st for the United States. Megan Mann (fifth place), Sofia Mojica (seventh) and Annika Hantho (eighth) all scored points in this event for Liberty in 2022.
Women’s Heptathlon
Event Schedule: Day One – Begins Thursday at Noon; Day Two – Begins Friday at Noon
Defending Champion: Emma Garcia Palencia (Eastern Kentucky) – 5,165
Top Returnee from 2022 Meet: Franziska Decker (Lipscomb) – 5th place
Conference Record: 5,846 by Jordan Gray (Kennesaw State) in 2019
Meet Record: 5,641 by Jordan Gray (Kennesaw State) in 2017
Liberty Record: 5,504 by Danielle McNaney in 2005
2023 Indoor Champion (Pentathlon): Meredith Engle (Liberty) – 3,973
2023 Leader: Melanie Welsing (Queens) – 5,634
Liberty Event Titles (Last): 1 (Kylie Polsgrove – 2019)
Liberty Entrants: Meredith Engle and Patasha Bryan
Outlook: Neither athlete who scored over 5,000 points in last year’s ASUN heptathlon competition (Eastern Kentucky’s Emma Garcia Palencia and Lipscomb’s Anna Richardson) will be part of this year’s event. But there are still four conference athletes who have gone over 5,000 in 2023, including two from Queens (Melanie Welsing – 5,634 and Emilija Kusic – 5,141) and two from Liberty (Meredith Engle – 5,205 and Patasha Bryan – 5,092). Engle is the two-time defending ASUN pentathlon champion. Welsing ranks No. 17 nationally this season but is ineligible for the NCAA meet due to Queens’ transitional status from Division II. Teammate Kusic was the 2021 NAIA national runner-up while competing for Lindsey Wilson. Half of the 10-member field hails from Queens.
Featured in Main Photo: Taylen Langin