Records shattered: Flames impress at Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational

Records came crumbling down for Liberty Flames track and field athletes at the 10th annual Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational. Over the weekend, 37 colleges and universities from along the East Coast gathered at the Brant Tolsma Indoor Track Feb. 9 and 10.

The #HonorHim event is held in memory of the late freshman track and field athlete Darius Dixon, who was killed in a car accident in December 2013. With over 1,300 student athletes in attendance at the competition, spectators packed the indoor track.

With two major conference challengers for the Flames present at the meet, Liberty had its eyes set on how Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee would do in the span of the two-day event.

The first day of the invitational started off strong for the Flames, with the men’s team taking multiple victories in a variety of events. Redshirt sophomore thrower Desmond Coleman made his mark on Friday in the sixth round, landing a 68-0.5. The score not only surpassed his fellow Flame, redshirt senior John Hicks, but also moved Coleman up the standings from fifth to first.

Prior to Coleman’s victory, Hicks held the previous record with a 67-1.25 at the Liberty Open, which he set Feb. 3.

Following closely after in the invitational 3k, redshirt junior Kyle Harkabus took to the track, surpassing UNC Charlotte in the final stretch. Recording a final time of 8:01.62, Harkabus took 13 seconds off his previous personal best and now holds the No. 3 spot in program history.

As for the Lady Flames, sophomore hammer thrower Paola Bueno took on Friday’s event with a win of 64-1.25, with her teammate, redshirt junior Megan Mann, claiming fourth place with a 60-6. 

Over on the pole vault, junior Mia Bowers placed a new personal best at 12-0.25, landing her in 8th place. Although freshman Katie Urbine was unable to grasp the freshman record in women’s pole vault, she was still able to take a 13-6.25, placing her comfortably in 5th place.

On day two of the invitational, Liberty racked up the wins. Sophomore Reese Webster started with a win in the women’s 60-meter with a time of 7.40 to remain undefeated. Building on her previous win, Webster also timed a 23.66 in the women’s 200. 

Later, in the women’s 4 x 400 relay, redshirt sophomore Patasha Bryan, redshirt junior Dawn Hilton and freshman Maddy Merrit grabbed their fastest split at 55.60 and a win with a final time of 3:47.18. 

In hurdles, redshirt junior Indea Cartwright was able to clinch first in a close 60-meter hurdles run, finishing with a time of 8.35. Another redshirt junior, Ahvon Mitchell upheld her spot as No. 4 in program history with a new season-best of 8.53 in the women’s 60 hurdles final. 

Ending the afternoon, redshirt sophomore Brendan Pitcher started his mile race from behind, facing stiff competition from the other runners. Toward the final stretch, Pitcher gained stamina in the final stride, winning with a mile time of 4:09.08.

“I feel like we saw a lot of heart and team unity,” Flames Assistant Coach Heather Zealand said. “We are looking forward to competition and know we will have some great races this season.” 

Liberty now turns its attention to its first Conference USA Indoor Track and Field Championship, with the meet to be held on Flames territory at the Liberty Indoor Track and Field Complex Feb. 23-24.   

Jolly is a sports reporter for the Liberty Champion