North Carolina Track & Field Heads to Liberty for Brant Tolsma Elite Invitational
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina’s track and field squad is set to hit the road for one of the region’s premier early-season meets: the 6th Annual Brant Tolsma Elite Invitational, hosted at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex in Lynchburg, VA. The action gets underway Friday and will feature a strong field that includes Duke, NC State, Northern Arizona, Virginia, Wake Forest, High Point, North Carolina A&T, and the host school, Liberty.
For fans looking to follow along, the meet will be streamed live on FloTrack, with real-time results available through Blue Ridge Timing.
This isn’t just another meet on the calendar - it’s a measuring stick. With high-level competition across nearly every event group, Carolina athletes will get the chance to test themselves against some of the top programs in the country. Let’s take a closer look at who’s competing and when.
Event Highlights & Carolina Athletes to Watch
Women’s Pole Vault (Lower Pit) - 11:00 AM
Peyton Berryman and Vivian Stovall will open the day for Carolina in the women’s pole vault. Early field events like this are all about setting the tone - don’t be surprised if one of them clears a new season best.
Women’s Shot Put - 11:30 AM
Skylar Bohlman and McKynzie Mauney step into the ring looking to build momentum. For Mauney, it’s a double-duty day - she’ll also compete in the weight throw later in the afternoon.
Women’s 60m Hurdles - 12:15 PM
This is one of the deeper events for Carolina, with Aaliyah Berry, Kalani Witherspoon, Tori Goodson, and Aria Wegh all lining up. Expect fireworks - this group has speed and technique, and they’ll be looking to drop fast times in a competitive field.
Men’s Mile Invite - 12:50 PM
Colton Sands, Aiden Neal, Joe Sapone, Henry Strand, and Luke Pash will represent Carolina in one of the marquee distance events of the meet. This is a stacked race, and with multiple Tar Heels in the mix, don’t be surprised if we see a few PRs or even a qualifying mark for championship season.
Men’s Shot Put - 1:00 PM
Ethan Richter, Nse Uffort, Cooper Williams, Adam Smith, and Jason Noel make up a deep men’s shot put group. With five entries, Carolina’s looking to make a statement in the throws.
Women’s Pole Vault Invite - 1:15 PM
Annie Kerr, Maddy Kelley, and Megan Kelleghan step up in the invite section, where the bar will be set high - literally and figuratively. This is a chance for Carolina’s vaulters to shine against elite competition.
Men’s 400m - 2:30 PM
Trevor Paschall, Nick Steed, and Evan Pardue will take the track in the quarter-mile. This trio brings a mix of raw speed and experience, and the 400 is always a gut-check race.
Women’s 400m - 2:45 PM
Delea Martins and Maameyaa Nyinah are set to go in the women’s 400m, an event that could provide a key benchmark as indoor season builds toward the championship phase.
Men’s High Jump - 3:00 PM
Kyle Archie will look to clear big heights in the men’s high jump. This is a technical event where consistency is key, and Archie has the tools to compete at a high level.
Women’s 800m - 3:10 PM
Maelynn Higgins is the lone Tar Heel in the open 800m. Look for her to use her strength and pacing ability to work into the mix late.
Men’s 200m - 3:20 PM
Donovan Calhoun will represent Carolina in the 200m dash - a race that rewards top-end speed and efficient cornering on the tight indoor track.
Women’s 200m - 3:35 PM
Tori Goodson returns to the track for her second event of the day. After the hurdles earlier, this will be a test of her speed endurance.
Men’s Pole Vault - 3:45 PM
Nick Pennington gets his shot in the men’s pole vault. The event is often a momentum-builder, and Pennington will look to clear early bars cleanly and build confidence.
Women’s High Jump - 4:30 PM
Tyler Collins is set for the women’s high jump. This is a field event that often comes down to rhythm and timing - if she finds her groove early, she could be in for a big day.
Women’s 800m Invite - 4:45 PM
Alli DeLisi and Cassidy Scott will line up in the invite section of the women’s 800m. This is a prime opportunity for both athletes to go up against top-tier competition and chase fast times.
Women’s Weight Throw - 3:00 PM
Kosi Umerah, McKynzie Mauney, and Gracie Bolick will be in action in the women’s weight throw. Watch for Mauney pulling double duty after her morning shot put - a full day for one of Carolina’s most versatile throwers.
Men’s Weight Throw - 4:15 PM
Myles Scott and Sam Romerhaus will look to bring the heat in the men’s weight throw. This is a power event, and both athletes have the potential to notch big marks.
Men’s 5000m - 5:35 PM
The men’s 5K features a loaded Carolina contingent: Will Coogan, Colton Sands, Joe Sapone, Henry Strand, Jacob Laney, Luke Pash, Aiden Neal, Joe Barrett, Jack Bowen, Robert Mechura, Mac Conwell, and Gitch Hayes. That’s a full squad, and the depth here could lead to some exciting pack racing and breakthrough performances.
Women’s 5000m - 5:55 PM
Brynn Brown, Ciara O'Shea, Grace Hanson, Reese Dalton, and Kinley Wolfe close out the day for Carolina in the women’s 5K. With a strong mix of experience and youth, this group has the potential to finish the meet on a high note.
What to Watch For
This meet is the kind of early-season proving ground that coaches love - high-level opponents, a fast track, and plenty of chances to test race plans and technical progress. For Carolina, it’s a chance to see where the roster stands against some of the best programs in the country.
With a full slate of events and a deep roster making the trip, this weekend in Lynchburg could be a key checkpoint on the road to the ACC Championships and beyond.