Lawrence Headlines Liberty’s 3 Event Winners at Virginia Grand Prix

Liberty won three events at the Virginia Grand Prix, contested Sunday at Lannigan Field. Leading the way was Felix Lawrence, whose winning men’s 400 hurdles time of 51.59 was the fastest effort by a Flame in seven years.

Liberty’s other first-place finishers included Naomi Mojica (women’s hammer – 184-5) and Kennedy Sauder (men’s high jump – 6-11.5). A trio of Flames came in second overall but first among collegiate entrants in their respective events, including Anthony Bryan (men’s 110 hurdles – 14.45), John Hicks (men’s hammer – 205-1) and Kyle Mitchell (men’s shot put – 60-4.5).

Lawrence’s 400 hurdles clocking of 51.59 marked the sophomore’s first time going under 52 seconds and moved him up to No. 6 in program history. It was the fastest effort by a Flame since Ryan Davis ran 51.23 to win the 2015 Big South title and was the fastest performance by an ASUN hurdler since 2018.

The ASUN’s fastest 400 hurdler this season by more than a second, Lawrence secured an NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round berth with Sunday’s race.

All-American Sauder has now opened his collegiate outdoor track & field career with back-to-back high jump victories at Virginia. His winning clearance on Sunday measured 6-11.5, with teammate Quinten Clay making it over a season-best 6-7 to share third place.

Mojica got the Flames off to a good start in Sunday’s opening event, the women’s hammer. She prevailed with a 184-5 heave while Grace Artis followed in third place at 179-5. Mojica later added a shot put runner-up finish (48-6).

Liberty boasted the top three collegiate finishers in the men’s shot put, including Mitchell (second place, 60-4.5), Kevin Nedrick (third, 59-10.5) and Warren Barrett (fourth, 58-5.75). Nedrick also placed fourth in a deep men’s discus field, thanks to a 184-5 throw.

Freshman Mia Bowers sailed over a season-best 12-6.25 in the women’s pole vault, which was good for fifth in both the competition and Liberty history.

Women’s Event Winners

Naomi Mojica – Hammer – 184-5

Men’s Event Winners

Felix Lawrence – 400 Hurdles – 51.59

Kennedy Sauder – High Jump – 6-11.5

Other Women’s Top 3 Finishers

2^nd – Naomi Mojica – Shot Put – 48-6

3^rd – Grace Artis – Hammer – 179-5

3^rd – Annika Hantho – Discus – 153-8

Other Men’s Top 3 Finishers

2^nd – Anthony Bryan – 110 Hurdles – 14.45 (1^st collegiate)

2^nd – John Hicks – Hammer – 205-1 (1^st collegiate)

2^nd – Kyle Mitchell – Shot Put – 60-4.5 (1^st collegiate)

3^rd – Kevin Nedrick – Shot Put – 59-10.5

Tie for 3^rd – Quinten Clay – High Jump – 6-7

New Men’s NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round Qualifiers

Felix Lawrence – 400 Hurdles – 51.59

Updates to Liberty’s All-Time Women’s Top 10 List

Pole Vault – No. 5 – Mia Bowers – 12-6.25

Updates to Liberty’s All-Time Men’s Top 10 List

400 Hurdles – No. 6 – Felix Lawrence – 51.59

Up Next

The Flames will return home on Wednesday to wrap up the regular season with the Liberty Twilight Qualifier at the Matthes-Hopkins Track Complex. Liberty will honor its seniors during a ceremony prior to the evening session of running events.