Bueno, Kimes, Zealand Gear Up for a Shot at NCAA Glory
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The excitement is palpable as Liberty University’s talented trio—Paola Bueno in the women’s hammer, Kellen Kimes in the men’s hammer, and Allie Zealand in the women’s 1,500—prepares for the prestigious 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Set to unfold from Wednesday to Saturday at the iconic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, this championship marks Liberty’s 10th consecutive season showcasing its athletes on such a grand stage.
How to Catch the Action
Don’t miss a moment! Zealand’s semifinal race in the 1,500 meters will be broadcast live on ESPN on Thursday, with the final showcased on ESPN2 Saturday. For fans eager to watch all field events, you can tune into dedicated streams on ESPN+.
In addition, live results featuring lap-by-lap updates will be available through Flash Results.
Weather Forecast
The forecast looks promising, with temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees during the competition days. Wednesday will be the hottest day, while the chances of rain remain low throughout the championship.
NCAA Championship Event Capsules
Men’s Hammer
Event Schedule: Final – Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. Eastern
Liberty Competitor: Kellen Kimes (So., Ludington, Mich.)
Path to Success:
Kimes made headlines this season by elevating his performance dramatically. After a disappointing 44th finish at last year’s NCAA Division I East First Rounds, he secured 11th place this time around with a remarkable throw of 213-4. This achievement marks him as the first Liberty sophomore to reach the NCAA championships in the men’s hammer event.
Kimes’ journey has been one of resilience. He recorded personal bests at consecutive meets in April, including an outstanding 219-5 at the Pacific Coast Invitational. He heads into the national meet as the competitor with the 20th longest personal best among 24 slated throwers, with the bar being set high by Minnesota’s Angelos Mantzouranis at 257-11.
Event Progression in Eugene:
Athletes will be split into two flights, with Kimes competing in the first. Following three attempts, the top nine will earn an additional three throws. The stakes are high—the top eight will earn All-American status, while a top-16 finish will be a historic first for Liberty.
Women’s Hammer
Event Schedule: Final – Thursday at 4:30 p.m. Eastern
Liberty Competitor: Paola Bueno (Jr., Nayarit, Mexico)
Path to Glory:
Bueno lit up the track with her outstanding series in Jacksonville, shattering her own program record with throws of 214-10 and 215-7, finishing fifth. This achievement catapults her into history as the first Liberty women’s hammer thrower to qualify for the NCAA championships multiple times.
Last year’s 11th-place finish granted Bueno All-America honors, and she’s eager to surpass that mark. Her performance is particularly noteworthy given that her 215-7 throw ranks as the eighth best among the competing athletes in Eugene.
What’s at Stake:
A top-16 performance would make Bueno the first Liberty women’s athlete to earn multiple All-America honors. As she pursues the Mexican national hammer record of 218-3, she also competes against Kennesaw State’s Kali Terza, who bested her in the CUSA competition.
Women’s 1,500
Event Schedule: Semifinals – Thursday at 7:21 p.m. Eastern; Final – Saturday at 9:11 p.m. Eastern
Liberty Competitor: Allie Zealand (Fr., Forest, Va.)
Rising Star:
Zealand burst onto the scene with a record-breaking performance of 4:09.76 at the NCAA Division I East First Rounds, landing her a spot in the championship meet. Remarkably, she shattered her mother’s long-standing Liberty record of 4:14.71, previously set in 2002 when her mother was the NCAA national runner-up.
As one of only two freshmen in the Eugene field, Zealand holds the 20th fastest personal best among national qualifiers, earning shout-outs from the local Eugene crowd, especially with three Ducks competing, including 2024 Olympic finalist Klaudia Kazimierska.
How the Event Will Unfold:
The semifinals will feature two heats, and only the top five runners in each will advance to the final. Earning a top-eight finish in Saturday’s race guarantees All-American status, pushing Zealand to strive for greatness.
What’s on the Line:
A top-16 finish would mean All-America honors for Zealand, joining the elite ranks of Liberty athletes. Moreover, a personal best could break the program’s current record, while she aims to reach new heights in the competitive world of track.
The stage is set! As Paola Bueno, Kellen Kimes, and Allie Zealand prepare to showcase their skills at the NCAA Championships, all eyes will be on them as they strive for glory and etch their names into Liberty’s storied athletics history. Will they rise to the occasion? Stay tuned!
