Flames Burn Bright at Dashing Dukes T&F Invitational

By Jacob Dryer- Harrisonburg, VA - Three Flames took to the track this past weekend at the JMU Running Club’s Dashing Dukes Invitational. The day started with Liberty’s George Crowder taking second place in the 5000 meters with a time of 16:37.41. Crowder was edged out by JMU Alum Ashton Blackwell, who ran a blistering time of 16:03.71. Liberty’s other runner in the 5k, Jacob Dryer, finished a distant thirteenth. In the Men’s 1600 meters, Liberty’s Matthew Petke led the Flames with a fifth-place finish with a time of 5:35.25. Petke narrowly defeated East Carolina’s Dylan Rush, who finished at 5:38.18. Dryer rounded out the Flames with a seventh-place finish at 5:56.40, beating out runners from East Carolina, Towson, and JMU. To finish the day, Petke placed fourth in the hotly contested 800 meters, finishing with a time of 2:26.05. Liberty placed fifth in the meet with a score of 14, falling two points short of Towson. However, the Flames set a program record for points scored and placement. The Flames will be back in action in Blacksburg, VA on March 22 for the Hokie Invitational. The Hokie Invitational will provide one final test before the Flames head to Richmond, VA for NIRCA Nationals on April 5-6. Results can be viewed on the Run Roanoke Website and on the LRC Facebook Page.