Host Flames Win 7 Events at Liberty-VMI Women’s Dual

The host Flames won seven of 11 events contested at the low-key Liberty-VMI Women’s Dual, a rare Tuesday evening competition at the Brant Tolsma Indoor Track at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex.

Liberty swept both throwing event titles (Kali Grayson – 37-11.25 shot put and Megan Mann – 57-3 weight throw) while taking three jumps (Maddy Hunt – 33-10.25 triple jump, Anna Worth – 5-0.25 high jump and Leah Wood – 11-7.75 pole vault) and two track races (Joelle Patton – 27.14 200 and Ava Podolski – 1:01.98 400).

Mann’s personal-best 57-3 effort to win the women’s weight throw by five feet was arguably the Flames’ most impressive individual mark of the night. She now ranks No. 3 in the ASUN this season and sits just 4.25 inches outside Liberty’s all-time top 10 list for the event.

Grayson, who ranks No. 2 in program history for the javelin (158-6), showcased her versatility on Tuesday. In addition to her shot put triumph, she came in second in the 60 (personal-best 7.99) and third in the long jump (personal-best 16-7.75).

Liberty’s first two victors of the meet, which lasted less than two hours from start to finish, were freshmen. Wood took top honors in the pole vault at 11-7.75, defeating VMI’s Taylor Hill on misses, and Podolski clocked 1:01.98 in the 400 for her first collegiate victory.

A third freshman nearly recorded a first-place finish, as Rebecca Allen’s season-best 17-6 long jump left her only 0.25 inch short of VMI’s Eleyah Armstrong.

The Lady Flames’ deepest event of the meet was the women’s 800. After Annamarie McKenzie won the race in 2:20.43 while competing unattached, Liberty runners swept places No. 2-10. Rebekah Simmons paced the Lady Flames’ half-milers, coming in second in a personal-best 2:24.53 with a late charge.

Liberty Event Winners

Kali Grayson – Shot Put – 37-11.25

Maddy Hunt – Triple Jump – 33-10.25

Megan Mann – Weight Throw – 57-3

Joelle Patton – 200 – 27.14

Ava Podolski – 400 – 1:01.98

Leah Wood – Pole Vault – 11-7.75

Anna Worth – High Jump – 5-0.25

Up Next

The Flames will send a group of athletes to Clemson, S.C., for the Bob Pollock Invitational. The high-level meet featuring numerous ACC and SEC squads will take place Friday and Saturday at the Clemson Indoor Track & Field Complex.

Featured in Main Photo: Megan Mann