Track & Field | 2/7/2025 11:05:00 PM
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The first day of the Liberty Opener was mainly about the preliminary rounds for the sprinters on the North Carolina A&T men's and women's indoor track and field teams. The 200 meters served as the only final for both teams on Friday at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex.
The men's 200m runners took three of the top five spots in their final race. Sophomore Nakhi Benjamin championed the event at 21.30, while junior Jason Holmes placed second at 21.43. Sophomore Xzaviah Taylor rounded out the group by placing fifth in 21.51.
In the women's 200m, sophomore Hayleigh Bryant finished third by clocking 24.47, and senior Pebbles Scott landed in fourth with a time of 24.51.
During the 60-meter-hurdle prelims, senior Lucheyona Weaver secured another opportunity to race against Olympian Gabbi Cunnigham. Weaver defeated Cunningham in the 60H last week at the University of South Carolina's Gamecock Challenge. On Friday, she qualified over Cunningham by finishing first in the prelims with a run of 8.20. Cunningham qualified second with a mark of 8.32.
On the men's side, all the 60H competitors claimed qualifying spots. Sophomore Isaiah Taylor had the lowest time, posting a 7.84. Then junior Thomas Smith IV qualified second in 7.88, and Xzaviah Taylor qualified in fourth with an 8.22.
Several 60m runners also secured their spots for the finals on Saturday. Holmes (6.84), senior Jaeden Gumbs (6.86), and freshman Correy McManus Jr. (6.89) advanced to the next round by ranking third, fifth, and eighth in the prelims. Benjamin barely missed the mark, ranking ninth with a time of 6.90.
Junior Aaliyah Harris and Weaver ensured the women would also compete in the 60m final. Harris qualified fifth in 7.54 and Weaver was sixth in 7.56.
Having a good day in the field events, sophomore Kaleb Lucas completed a fourth-place long jump with his best jump of the season, 22 feet, 10 ¼ inches, and freshman Lauren Curry-Wilburn set her personal record to 17 feet, 8 inches in the women's long jump.
More Aggies are expected to take to the track and the field on Day 2. Saturday will begin with the men's Shuttle Hurdle Relay at 9 a.m.
