LYNCHBURG, VA – Fayetteville State delivered a strong showing at the Liberty Open on January 23, competing against several Division I programs and rising to the challenge across multiple events. The Broncos opened the day with encouraging performances in the 60 meters, where juniors Malaysia Barber and Ziyah Etchison led the sprint group with times of 7.94 and 7.98. Freshman hurdler Taniya Dickerson added another quality effort in the 60‑meter hurdles, clocking 9.47 in her heat.
Barber returned in the 200 meters and produced one of the team's sprint highlights, running a personal best of 25.77 in a deep field. Dickerson,
Amaya Cummings, and freshman
Angel Scott added competitive marks as the Broncos continued to build momentum in the short sprints.
The middle‑distance squad delivered Fayetteville State's top results of the meet. Sophomore standout Faith Kiplimo placed third overall in the 800 meters with a 2:16.14, a performance that now ranks her tenth among HBCU athletes and 29th in Division II. With the result, Kiplimo rises to No. 1 in the CIAA in the event.
Senior Nia Gibson followed with a season‑best 2:21.78, while Ashley Bell and Repline Cheptoo added strong supporting times. Kiplimo doubled back in the 1000 meters and finished eighth in 3:01.03, continuing her consistent presence near the front of the pack.
In the mile, Videlma Jebet and Pelisha Kosgei turned in solid efforts before Jebet returned for the 3000‑meter invitational, running 10:37.57 — a mark that now ranks her sixth among HBCU athletes.
In the field events, senior Sheree Wright delivered one of the team's top finishes of the day by clearing 1.61 meters in the high jump to earn second place. Freshmen Kimora Chawlk and Jayda Wilson also cleared 1.51 meters as the Broncos showed depth in the event.
In the throws, senior Aaliyah Whyte continued her strong indoor campaign with a 12.95‑meter mark in the shot put, placing her inside the top ten and maintaining her position among the top HBCU throwers. Her progression this season has also pushed her to No. 1 in the CIAA in the weight throw, making her one of the top throwers in the conference entering the latter half of the indoor schedule.
The Broncos closed the meet with a season‑best performance in the 4x400‑meter relay. The quartet of Sierrah Matthews, Malaysia Barber, Mia Thompson, and Taniya Dickerson combined for a 4:09.20 finish, earning the team a top‑35 HBCU ranking and a top‑100 Division II mark.
Fayetteville State will return to action next week as the Broncos travel to Mill Spring, North Carolina, for the Tryon College Banked Invitational on Friday, January 30.
