Spoor Sets Facility Record, Cavaliers Start Strong on Day One of Liberty Kickoff
LYNCHBURG, Va. — The Virginia men’s and women’s track and field program opened competition for the 2025-26 indoor track and field season with strong performances on Thursday (Dec.4) at the Liberty Kickoff in Lynchburg, Va. The first day of competition was headlined by Elsa Spoor and Cassie Callis’ performance in the women’s pentathlon.
In the women’s pentathlon, Elsa Spoor won the B section with a new personal best of 3732 points. Her point total ranks No. 7 all-time in program history. Spoor recorded a new personal best in four of the five events including the 60m hurdles, high jump, shot put and 800-meters. The sophomore also broke the facility record in the final event of the competition, the 800-meters, clocking 2:14.63. The previous record stood at 2:16.72 set by Liberty’s Meredith Engle at the CUSA Championship on Feb. 28, 2025.
In her collegiate debut, freshman Cassie Callis finished runner-up in the B section of the women’s pentathlon scoring a total of 3609 points. Callis’ point total ranks No. 2 all-time among freshman in program history. She kickstarted the day with a new personal best of 8.67 in the 60-meter hurdles to rank No. 3 all-time on Virginia’s freshman list.
After the first four events of the men’s heptathlon (group A), Garrett McNeil accumulated a total of 2862 points and sits in fifth place. McNeil kick started the day with a sixth-place finish in the 60-meter dash before recording a runner-up performance in the long jump. The freshman then finished 10th in the shot put before closing out the first day of competition with a sixth-place finish in the high jump.
Just three events remain to be contested on the second day of competition including the 60-meter hurdles, pole vault and the 1000-meters.
Heptathlon (Group A) Day 1
5. Garrett McNeil 2862 pts
| 60m 6th | 7.14 |
Long Jump 2nd | 7.21m/23-7.75 |
Shot Put 10th | 10.30m/33-9.50 |
High Jump 6th | 1.84m/6-0.25 |
Events coming up on day 2: 60m hurdles, pole vault, 1000m
Pentathlon (Group B)
1. Elsa Spoor 3732 pts PR
| 60mH 5th | 9.41 PR |
High Jump 1st | 1.74m/5-8.50 PR |
Shot Put 4th | 9.91m/32-6 PR |
Long Jump 7th | 5.08m/16-7.75 |
800m 1st | 2:14.63 PR, FR |
2. Cassie Callis 3609 pts PR
| 60mH 1st | 8.67 PR |
High Jump 9th | 1.50m/4-11 |
Shot Put 1st | 12.23m/40-1.25 |
Long Jump 4th | 5.30m/17-4.50 |
800m 2nd | 2:28.83 |
PR = Personal Record
FR = Facility Record
Field Event Coverage
- In his collegiate debut, freshman Liam Paneque finished runner-up in the men’s long jump invitational section with his mark of 7.21m/23-7.75. Paneque recorded his furthest mark on his first and second attempt in the competition.
- In the men’s weight throw, Mark Cyr finished fourth with his mark of 18.13m/59-5.75 while Brock Schenck finished 11th with his third-round throw of 14.96m/49-0.75.
- Bree Lumpkin finished fourth in the women’s weight throw with her fifth attempt mark of 17.28m/56-8.25.
- In her Virginia debut, junior Grace Smith recorded a third-place finish in the women’s long jump leaping out 5.97m/19-7 on her sixth and final attempt.
Up Next:
Competition at the 2025 Liberty Kickoff will resume tomorrow (Dec. 5) when the Virginia squad takes to the track beginning at 9 a.m. ET.