Lynchburg, Va. – The King University team went to the Liberty Open Invitational, where they had multiple top-eight performances against DI, II, and III level talent, as well as earning more Conference Carolinas qualifying standards.
 
Men's Track and Field Team:
 
The first track event of the day saw Lynden Johnson finish seventh in the prelims of the 60-meter dash, qualifying for the finals in 6.89 seconds. Later in the day, he would get back on the track and race the 200-meter dash, running a seventh-place finish in 21.73 seconds as well as another conference-qualifying time, and is currently ranked 39^th in DII.
 
Cole Johnson, from the distance side of things, was able to compete in the 5000-meter invite division, where he placed ninth with a time of 15:50.53. Evan Deichert and Luke Childress were able to get sixth and 12^th, respectively, in the open 5000-meter.
 
In the 800-meter, Spencer Utsey was able to run 2:00.82, which was good for 28^th place.
 
On the field side, we had Noah Cilliam, who placed 22^nd with 12.08 meters (39-06.75 ft), in the Shot Put, which is his season best for the year.
 
In the vaulting pit, we had Nathan Rosson with the highest placing of the day, placing fifth and earning himself a ticket to conferences with a vault of 4.00 meters (13-0.50 ft).
 
Kenyan Booker in the Long Jump leaped a length of 6.46 meters (21-02.50 ft) to earn himself a spot at conferences and earned 19^th place.
 
Women's Track and Field Team:
 
The women's team saw success all over the track and field today. Emily Ward earned first place with a conference-qualifying mark of 18:46.07 in the open 5000-meter, making her the only Tornado to earn first place today. She then doubled back in the 3000-meter and earned 13^th place in 11:05.26.
 
Ermay Vazquez Adame was able to cross the line in 2:24.46 in the 800-meter to earn 16^th place and a place in conferences.
 
On the field side of things for the women, the Tornado had Samaya Armstead in the Long Jump, leaping 4.84 meters (15-10.50 ft), and Rylee Durrence in the Shot Put, throwing a mark of 8.31 meters (27-03.25 ft).
 
Savannah Darnell led the way for King in the sprinting events, earning 47^th place in the 200-meter dash with a time of 26.20 seconds and a 44^th place in the 60-meter hurdles dash in 10.25 seconds.
 
 Live Results
 
The Tornado will be competing next weekend, on January 30 and 31, at the Bast-Creeger Multi Invitational.