Both men’s and women’s track and field come out on top at ASUN Championships
The Liberty Flames track and field team continued its run of excellence over the weekend, as both the men’s and women’s teams captured another ASUN conference championship.
The Flames hosted the ASUN Indoor Track and Field Championships for the fifth consecutive year at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex Feb. 24-25.
On Friday, the first day of competition, the Lady Flames got off to a strong start.
Junior Meredith Engle was the first athlete to medal for Liberty, scoring a personal best, 3,973, in the pentathlon event. Freshman Paola Bueno dominated her event as well, becoming the first freshman to win the weight-throw competition in 17 years.
The men’s team also began the tournament on a good note. While no Flame placed first in an event Friday night, many athletes finished in the top-three of their events.
After day one, the men’s team was in second place with 59 points, and the women’s team was in first with 84 points.
On day two, both teams focused to complete their goal of winning a conference title.
The Lady Flames faced a bit of adversity, as Kennesaw State battled back late Saturday afternoon, narrowing the gap. However, senior and star-athlete Calli Doan posted a career-best in the 3k to seal the victory for Liberty. Doan was named the Most Valuable Female Performer. The Lady Flames finished with 171 points.
The men’s team dominated Saturday. Liberty entered the day trailing 12 points behind Kennesaw State but quickly recaptured the lead Saturday morning.
Liberty outright won seven events en route to a 57-point victory, scoring a total of 235 points.
For the men’s team, the triumph marks the fifth consecutive ASUN title and 26th conference championship dating back to its days in the Big South. For the women’s team, the victory gives them back-to-back ASUN championships and its fourth in five years.
Following the match, track and field director and associate head coach Lance Bingham praised his team for its impressive performance over the weekend and the entire season.
“This is a group of young men and women that lay it on the line. They love each other, they work hard for each other and they sacrifice a lot to get … where they’re at. I am just so thankful for this team,” Bingham said.
Following this weekend, sophomore jumper Kennedy Sauder and senior thrower Warren Barrett are expected to represent the Flames in the desert as Liberty will compete at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Feb. 10.
Garrett is a sports reporter for the Liberty Champion. Follow him on Twitter