Lynchburg, Va. – Most people wouldn't consider 20 years old to be seasoned. Nevertheless, for a facility like Dr. Jack M. Toms Track on the campus of the University of Lynchburg, 20 years of historic performances and daily training warranted a long-deserved makeover.
Industry leader, Beynon Sports Surfacing, installed the original surface in 2007 as part of the Shellenberger Field project to create one of the top Division III competition venues in the nation for Lynchburg teams. The 400-meter track is located in the heart of Lynchburg's campus and surrounds the competition field for other Hornet programs.
Since 2007, Dr. Jack M. Toms Track has played a role in producing 84 All-American performances and six individual national champions.
"Dr Jack M Toms Track at Shellenberger Field is one of the best venues for collegiate competition in the country, regardless of level," said Director of Athletics Jon Waters. "The facility itself has produced so many incredible moments. Refreshing the surface assures that the next generation of Hornets can continue to build on the legacy of excellence that is associated with our programs."
Beynon Sports Surfacing began preparations on campus in July and is expected to complete the project by mid-August. The process includes revitalization of jump areas, general repairs and the additional surfacing of 10 meters on the home straightaway, allowing for directional changes in sprint events.
"It's a Catch-22: You want to keep the surface because of the fast performances, but the resurfacing is long overdue," said Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Mario Wilson. "From 2007 to now, it's had a really good run. It's incredible for the surface to be maintained the way that it has."
In addition, Wilson believes the additional 10 meters will provide opportunities for athletes to post fast times, regardless of weather conditions.
"For our home meets, if there's ever a situation where there is inclement weather or the wind is pushing from the wrong direction, we'll always be able to run with the wind," Wilson said. "It'll be advantageous and make our times faster."
A Track for Tradition
In recent years, NCAA milestones and elite levels of competition have propelled Dr. Jack M. Toms Track into the national spotlight.
In May 2025, Tor Hotung-Davidsen (3:58.35) and Sam Llaneza (3:59.41) made Division III history at the Hill City Twilight as the first DIII athletes to break the four-minute mile mark on an outdoor track. Both athletes won the 1,500m national title during their time at Lynchburg, while Llaneza inherited the reins of former assistant coach Jake Reed to lead the Hornets' distance program.
"Having the opportunity to race on this track was a blessing," Llaneza said. "There has been incredible talent that has stepped foot on this track. Olympic Champions, U.S Champions, DI Champions, DIII Champions: you name it, they've raced here! The track is a centerpiece to our campus, and we want the student-athletes to compete on a high-quality track with the atmosphere that it brings."
At the 2024 Hill City Twilight, Nike athletes Cole Hocker and Cooper Teare paced several races throughout the evening. The meet occurred just months before the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where Hocker claimed the gold medal in the men's 1,500m with a 3:27.65 performance. He was just the fourth American man to claim 1,500m gold.
Most recently on the women's side, the 4x400-meter relay team punctuated the regular season with a 3:50.24 performance to demolish the previous program record by four seconds. Dr. Jack M. Toms Track also played host to another school record during the 2026 outdoor season, as Lamont Victoria posted 21.39 in the 200-meter dash. Victoria later improved his mark to 21.11 later in the season.
In a recent MIT study that considers how athletes perform at each Division III track facility, Lynchburg ranked second in the nation for producing stellar times. The Lynchburg outdoor track & field team perennially hosts three meets each season, while the Hornets won the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championships at home in 2021.
The Hornets track & field teams will make their debut on the new surface at the Dr. Jack M. Toms Alumni Invitational in March 2027.
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