Flying high
Track and field preps for conference finals
The Liberty University Flames men’s and women’s track and field teams are a week away from the Big South Outdoor Track and Field Championships, May 10-12, that are being held at the Matthes-Hopkins Track Complex at Liberty.
Sprint — Women’s track and field team competed in the Liberty Collegiate Invitational. Photo credit: Joel Coleman
The men’s team has dominated competition since 1994, winning 20 of 22 outdoor championships.
The women’s team has had its fair share of success since 1998, when the first women’s outdoor championship was held — winning 10 of the 18 outdoor championships.
Leading the charge for the Flames is Head Coach Brant Tolsma, who has been with the team since 1986, according to the Flames’ athletic website.
Tolsma has been a crucial part of every Big South Championship the Flames have won.
“I like the way we’re looking,” Tolsma said.
“It is not the way I wish we looked, but I like our chances as we go into Outdoor Big South.”
The Flames have battled through their share of injuries this season, like every other team in the conference. However, the team has enough depth to keep them going strong.
“Our biggest strength is primarily in our depth,” Tolsma said.
“When there is a weak area in events that are not as tough, we have people who can get a lot of points in that event. A lot of other schools have more holes than we do.”
Liberty has one more meet before the Big South Championship meet to get prepared and to have any final athletes qualify. On Wednesday May 4, the Flames will compete in the Liberty Twilight Qualifier at the Matthes-Hopkins Track Complex.
After the Big South Championships there will be an NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round meet in Jacksonville, Florida held May 26-28.
The top 48 athletes in each event will compete there, and the top 12 finishers in each event at that meet will move on to the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon June 8-11.
May 16 is the official date that the 48 athletes will be chosen to compete in Jacksonville, and a few Flames have very high chances of getting an invite to the meet.
For the women’s side, senior Mychelle Cumings will look to represent Liberty in the shot put alongside sophomore distance runner Ednah Kurgat.
On the men’s side, senior javelin thrower Steve Feister, freshman javelin thrower Denzel Pratt, senior discus thrower Fred Fulton and sophomore jumper Darrel Jones all hope for a trip to Jacksonville.
More athletes can add their name to that list with good performances at the Big South Championship meet.
“We want our confidence to be not in our ability but in the fact that God can use us,” Tolsma said.
“If we have the right mindset, and we faithfully prepare, there is nothing to lose. Just go out there and give your best. If it does not turn out the way you want but you gave your best, you have nothing to feel bad about.”
Day is a sports reporter.