News Summary
The UNC Asheville Bulldogs track and field team made a significant impact at the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational in Lynchburg, Virginia, on February 15, 2025. With record-breaking performances from both their men’s and women’s teams, including new school records in the mile events, the Bulldogs showcased their incredible talent. Paul Kirprotich and Isabel Richardson led the charge with standout times, while the men’s relay team also achieved a program best. The team’s strong performance sets an optimistic tone as they prepare for the upcoming Big South Conference Championships.
UNC Asheville Bulldogs Break Records and Personal Bests in Lynchburg
The charming city of Lynchburg, Virginia, buzzed with excitement as the UNC Asheville Bulldogs track and field team showcased their athletic prowess during the thrilling final day of the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational on February 15, 2025. The Bulldogs didn’t just bring their game; they brought home new school records and a fistful of personal bests, making their mark on the track!
Record-Breaking Performances
First up in the spotlight was Paul Kirprotich, who made history by shattering the men’s mile invite school record. He crossed the finish line with a dazzling time of 4:11.47, clinching 12th overall and surpassing the previous record set by Adam Hessler by a razor-thin margin of 0.25 seconds. Speaking of Hessler, he was right behind Kirprotich, finishing 19th with a commendable time of 4:13.87. The two athletes kept pace together until the final lap, showcasing a camaraderie among fellow Bulldogs.
A Historic Achievement for the Women
On the women’s side, Isabel Richardson made the crowd roar as she set a new school record in the women’s mile invite, clocking in at 4:59.01. This breathtaking performance not only earned her 19th overall but also dethroned the old record held by Micki Logue since 2004!
Seeing Stars in the 500m and 4x400m
The excitement continued to build with Nikole Baikova securing 11th place in the women’s 500m with an impressive time of 1:17.61. By doing so, she landed a spot in the program’s leaderboard at No. 2 for the event. Not to be outdone, the men’s 4x400m relay team comprised of Joseph Oliver, Shemarr Session, Christopher Owens, and Jalen Anderson set a new all-time program record! Their team effort earned a sparkling cumulative time of 3:15.40, moving them up from No. 5 to the No. 2 spot on the performance list.
Standout Sprinting
Highlighting individual accomplishments, Jalen Anderson sprinted to a remarkable third-place finish in the men’s 200m with a time of 21.25, making him the fastest in Bulldogs history! Close behind was Shemarr Session, racing to fourth with a time of 21.35, positioning him at No. 2 on the all-time list.
Personal Bests All Around
In the men’s open mile, Quinn Jacquez and Lance Surles also shone with personal bests, clocking times of 4:22.83 and 4:25.13, finishing 11th and 16th, respectively. Meanwhile, Christopher Owens celebrated a personal triumph in the 300m with a time of 35.49.
On the women’s front, Maddie Hamuka lighted up the 1,000m with a personal best of 3:21.08, while the Bulldogs showed their depth in the women’s shot put with Jaelyn Arnold, Neely Rogan, and Madison Hannah demonstrating solid performances.
Looking Ahead
As the competition wraps up, the Bulldogs will set their sights on the upcoming Big South Conference Championships taking place from February 28 to March 1 in Columbia, South Carolina. With all these extraordinary performances, it’s clear the Bulldogs are more than ready to make waves!
The excitement of this meet shows just a glimpse of what is to come for the UNC Asheville track and field team. With record-breaking runs and personal bests, the future looks bright for our Bulldogs!
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Additional Resources
- UNC Asheville Bulldogs: Two School Records Highlight Final Day of Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational
- Wikipedia: Track and Field
- UNC Asheville Bulldogs: Asheville Closes Indoor Regular Season at Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational
- Google Search: UNC Asheville track and field
- UNC Asheville Bulldogs: Announces 2025 Indoor and Outdoor Schedules
- Google Scholar: UNC Asheville track and field
- UNC Asheville Bulldogs: Returns to Columbia for Gamecock Challenge
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
