School Records From Anyanwu and Málek Highlight Regular Season Finale at Liberty

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The UNC Asheville track and field team wrapped up the 2026 regular season this weekend (Feb. 13–14) at the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational, hosted by Liberty University.

Two new school records, 14 personal bests, and 12 season bests highlighted the Bulldogs' performance at the Matthes-Hopkins Track Complex as the team prepares for the fast-approaching Big South Indoor Championships at the end of the month.

Kelechi Anyanwu continued his outstanding freshman campaign by winning the men's 400m in a school record time of 48.31. His personal-best performance shaved .01 off the previous record set by Isaac Teasley in 2022.

He returned to the track later in the meet to place second in the open section of the men's 200m with a time of 21.82. The mark, his first collegiate 200m, ranks No. 5 all-time in program history.

Jan Málek highlighted Saturday's action with a school-record performance of 4:11.11 in the men's mile invite.
Quinn Jacquez ran a personal-best 4:16.40 to place seventh in the open section of the men's mile, earning the No. 5 spot on the program's all-time list. He also recorded a season-best 8:43.77 in the men's 3,000m open to place eighth. Aneta Kucerová recorded a personal-best 4:58.86 to finish 10th in the women's mile invite, moving from No. 4 to No. 3 on Asheville's all-time list.

Nkosi Jeju turned in strong performances in both field and sprint events. Jeju placed third overall in the men's long jump with a mark of 7.34 meters, just .06 shy of his own school record set at the season opener (Jan. 10). On the track, he posted back-to-back season bests in the men's 60m, running 6.94 in the prelims and 6.92 in the semifinals to finish 15th overall.

DaMarr Harvey placed fourth overall in the men's 200m invite with a season-best time of 21.38.

The men's distance medley relay team of Lance Surles, Nkosi Jeju, Bennett Moreno, and Tadiyos Sloan-Westmoreland finished fifth overall in 10:19.85. The time marked a season best and currently ranks No. 62 in NCAA Division I.

Blake Hawks placed fourth in the lower section of the men's triple jump with a mark of 13.21 meters.

PERSONAL BESTS

Lance Surles – Men's 3,000m Open – 8:42.04 (7th)
Lauren Sochia – Women's 5,000m Open – 18:55.82 (10th)
Jalice Payton – Men's 400m – 49.68 (14th); Men's 500m – 1:05.82 (11th)
Lily Kelpin – Women's 1,000m – 3:03.81 (15th)
Demorris Jordan – Men's 60m Semis – 6.96 (18th)
Ty'vell Foskey – Men's 60m Prelims – 6.97 (18th)
Payton Murphy – Women's 1,000m – 3:07.46 (21st)
Madison Hannah – Women's Weight Throw – 14.26 meters (30th)
Stephen Pryor – Men's 60m Hurdles Prelims – 8.56 (33rd)
Noah Henthorn – Men's 60m Hurdles Prelims – 9.59 (44th)

SEASON BESTS

Ebebe Emechebe – Men's 200m Open – 22.00 (7th); 60m Prelims – 7.07
Morgan Brown – Women's Triple Jump – 10.93 meters (8th, lower section)
Ella Warren – Women's 800m Open – 2:22.46 (19th)
Blake Hawks – Men's Long Jump – 6.17 meters (19th, lower section)
Murielle Jeanite – Women's Long Jump – 4.99 meters (24th, lower section)
Braelin June – Men's 400m – 51.04 (31st)
Francesca Cergol – Women's 400m – 58.57 (31st)
Gabriel Buie – Men's 60m Prelims – 7.12 (39th)
Kieayla Williams – Women's 60m Prelims – 7.88 (53rd)

The Bulldogs will compete once more during the indoor season at the Big South Indoor Championships on Feb. 27–28 at Tryon International.

For complete meet results, click here.

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University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics