Men’s track attains sixth consecutive BSC title
The Liberty University men’s and women’s track team took their talents to Myrtle Beach, S.C., to compete in the Big South Championships.
The men’s team came into the weekend as the heavy favorites, seeking their sixth consecutive Outdoor Title and 17th title in 18 years. They achieved just that by running away with the competition, winning by 78 total team points.
Champs — Men’s track won their 17th Big South title. Photo Credit: Nate Brown
“The guys came out and performed well,” head coach Brant Tolsma said. “We expected to win and we performed well in just about every event we wanted to.”
Last year, the women were able to defeat rival Coastal Carolina in the Indoor Championships but could not complete the sweep, losing to the Chanticleers in the Outdoor Championships. They were looking to avoid that same fate this year after winning the Indoor Championship earlier this season.
The two teams battled down to the very end, but after the dust settled, the Flames didn’t have enough, losing to Coastal Carolina by a very slim nineteen and a half point margin.
“We’re very disappointed we didn’t win. Winning the Big South is how we measure our program,” Tolsma said. Though he was disappointed they were not able to pull out the victory, Tolsma made it clear he is not dissatisfied with the teams’ effort.
“Coastal Carolina is a very deserving champion,” Tolsma said. “We competed very well and it wasn’t a fluke they beat us. They were a better team in this event. We performed well and even over performed in a lot of events. We’re not disappointed in our performance, we’re just disappointed in the outcome.”
Heartbreaker — Liberty women’s track team fell short, losing to Coastal. They have not won the BSC since 2010. Photo credit: Nate Brown
Coach Tolsma went on to praise the Chanticleers program and acknowledged that he loves the competitiveness and respect the two programs share for one another. “He (Coastal’s coach Jeff Jacobs) shook my hand when we won the Indoor Championships and I shook his today, and you even saw some of the girls hugging and congratulating each other after events. They’re a great team and a great program, and it’s a fantastic competitive rivalry we have.”
The end of the Big South Championships marks the unofficial end to the Flames season, but the top performers will still be aboard competing in various events starting with the ECAC/ICAA Outdoor Championships starting May 11, ending in early June, with the USA Olympic Team trials.