Liberty Track/XC Signs 4 for 2023-24
Just after opening its 2022-23 indoor track & field season, Liberty has secured commitments from the first four newcomers to its 2023-24 squad. Ryann Aycock, Paige Greenhagel, Katie Urbine and Kellen Kimes have signed national letters of intent to attend Liberty University for the 2023-24 academic year.
“We are very blessed and excited about this group of signees,” stated Liberty Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Lance Bingham. “Each one is a great fit for our mission and vision, which is to serve Christ at the highest level in and through the sport of track & field. I am confident that our program will continue to progress as we add young men and women of this caliber to our program.”
Ryann Aycock
Distance | Cary Christian School | Cary, N.C.
1,600: 4:58.99
3,200: 10:47.65
Aycock recently punctuated her high school cross country career by racing to her third NCISAA 3A individual state title in four years (also 2019 and 2020).
On the track, Aycock enjoyed a busy and successful appearance at the 2021 NCISAA Division II Track & Field Championship, winning the 1,600 and 3,200 state titles while finishing second in the 4 x 800 relay and third in the 800.
Aycock also finished 16th in the two mile at the 2021 adidas Indoor Nationals.
Coach Bingham says … “She is very passionate about using her talents to honor the Lord and has displayed a lot of perseverance and determination coming back from an injury. She is very talented and will continue to progress in her times.”
Paige Greenhagel
Heptathlon | Burlington Central High School | Elgin, Ill.
High Jump: 5-5.75
Long Jump: 17-11.25
Greenhagel competed in four events at the 2022 Illinois 2A state meet, placing fourth in the high jump, eighth in the 4 x 200 relay, 10th in the long jump and 14th in the 4 x 400 relay.
She high jumped a personal-best 5-5.75 during her outdoor season opener a year ago and went on to clear 5-4.25 at the state meet.
Coach Bingham says … “Paige is a multi-sport athlete who will be competing in the multi events. She is a talented athlete and will be a great addition to our women’s multis group. Her background is well suited for her, as she will be learning some new events in the multis. She is another great fit for our culture.”
Katie Urbine
Pole Vault | Solanco High School | Quarryville, Pa.
Pole Vault: 13-0
Urbine pole vaulted a personal-best 13-0 at both the Pennsylvania indoor and outdoor state meets as a junior in 2022, capturing the indoor state title and finishing as the outdoor runner-up.
Urbine made rapid progress last season after beginning the year with a pole vault best of 11-6.
Urbine carries good speed down the runway, as evidenced by her 12.51 personal best in the 100 and her runner-up finish in the 2021 Lebanon-Lancaster League 100 final.
Coach Bingham says … “Katie is a very strong and fast pole vaulter. After seeing videos of her, I think she will make an impact immediately at the regional and national levels. Because of her strong faith, she has a great perspective toward vaulting which is necessary to handle some of the mental aspects of pole vaulting at a high level.”
Kellen Kimes
Throws | Hart High School | Ludington, Mich.
Hammer: 195-11
Shot Put: 58-8
Discus: 170-9
Kimes owns the Michigan state record in the hammer at 195-11, a mark he set while finishing third in the 2022 Nike Outdoor Nationals.
Kimes captured the 2022 Michigan Lower Peninsula Division 3 state title in the discus and took second in the shot put (personal-best 58-8).
Competing indoors, Kimes came in 11th during the 2022 Nike Indoor Nationals weight throw competition after recording a personal-best mark of 66-2 to place second in the state two weeks earlier.
Coach Bingham says … “Kellen is a versatile multi-sport athlete who has developed a lot in the throws in a short amount of time. He will probably compete in three throws and has the athleticism to become a great thrower. He is another young man who has a strong faith and will be a great fit for our program.”
Featured in Main Photo (L-R): Ryann Aycock, Paige Greenhagel, Katie Urbine, Kellen Kimes
