Wake Forest Athletics
Friday, February 13
Lynchburg, VA
Wake Forest University
at
Darius Dixon Invitational
Paul Specht Shatters Facility and School Record as Deacs Finish Successful Weekend
2/14/2026 9:28:00 PM | Track and Field
The senior broke his own school record and set a new JDL Fast Track record as he placed first with a time of 3:52.95 in the men’s mile at the ASICS Sound Invite.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Highlighted by senior Paul Specht breaking both the facility and school record in the men's mile, the Wake Forest Track & Field team closed out a successful weekend of competition at both the Darius Dixon Invitational at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex, and the ASICS Sound Invite at the JDL Fast Track on Saturday afternoon.
Against a mix of collegiate and professional runners, Specht secured a first place finish in the men's mile as he posted both a Wake Forest and JDL Fast Track facility record time of 3:52.95. The Sindelfingen, Germany native had previously broken the program record during the Brant Tolsma Invitational, where he crossed the finish line in 3:54.60.
Earlier in the afternoon, junior Wes Shipsey became one of just seven Demon Deacons in school history to record a sub-four minute mile. The Portland, Ore., native clocked a time of 3:59.68 in the men's seeded mile race, moving him into sixth all-time in Wake Forest history for the event.
Fellow juniors Hunter Jones and Charlie Sprott both finished on the podium in the men's 5000m, with Jones placing second with a time of 13:50.46, while Sprott crossed the line in third place at 13:58.54.
In his first collegiate race for the Deacs, freshman Aurelien Radja notched a third place performance in the men's 3000m. The Frenchman recorded a time of 7:45.86 to jump into second all-time in school history.
On the women's side, senior Elizabeth Whaley broke her own school record to place seventh in women's mile. The Cincinnati native dropped over a second off of her previous personal-best time, finishing Saturday's race in 4:35.35.
Elsewhere, junior Angelina Perez took home third place in the women's 3000m as she posted a time of 9:01.56. The result moved the Ringwood, N.J., native into second in program history, while fellow junior Brooke Wilson propelled herself into third all-time in the women's 3000m after crossing the finish line in 9:05.73 to claim a fifth place result.
Following an impressive debut last month, freshman Natalia Issler continued her stellar rookie season as she placed second in the women's 800m, clocking 2:05.96.
Meanwhile, junior Seren Rodgers closed out competition at the Darius Dixon Invitational by moving into fifth all-time in the women's 200m with a personal-best time of 25.20 seconds.
Notable Results
Men's Mile
2025-26 Indoor Track and Field Top-10 Marks in School History
From the Staff
"It was a tremendous weekend for the Deacs. We broke school records, likely secured a national qualifying mark and saw an impressive debut performance with strong contributions across all event groups. Our preparation has us exactly where we want to be heading into the ACC Championships in two weeks. Championship season should be very exciting." - Director of Track & Field and Cross Country John Hayes
Up Next
The Demon Deacons will close out their regular season next weekend with a pair of meets.
The Deacs will kick things off next Friday, Feb. 20 at the Boston University DMR Challenge/Last Chance Meet. Wake Forest will then end the regular season back at the JDL Fast Track as they compete in the JDL Last Chance Meet on Saturday, Feb. 21.
Follow the Demon Deacons
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | #GoDeacs
Against a mix of collegiate and professional runners, Specht secured a first place finish in the men's mile as he posted both a Wake Forest and JDL Fast Track facility record time of 3:52.95. The Sindelfingen, Germany native had previously broken the program record during the Brant Tolsma Invitational, where he crossed the finish line in 3:54.60.
Earlier in the afternoon, junior Wes Shipsey became one of just seven Demon Deacons in school history to record a sub-four minute mile. The Portland, Ore., native clocked a time of 3:59.68 in the men's seeded mile race, moving him into sixth all-time in Wake Forest history for the event.
Fellow juniors Hunter Jones and Charlie Sprott both finished on the podium in the men's 5000m, with Jones placing second with a time of 13:50.46, while Sprott crossed the line in third place at 13:58.54.
In his first collegiate race for the Deacs, freshman Aurelien Radja notched a third place performance in the men's 3000m. The Frenchman recorded a time of 7:45.86 to jump into second all-time in school history.
On the women's side, senior Elizabeth Whaley broke her own school record to place seventh in women's mile. The Cincinnati native dropped over a second off of her previous personal-best time, finishing Saturday's race in 4:35.35.
Elsewhere, junior Angelina Perez took home third place in the women's 3000m as she posted a time of 9:01.56. The result moved the Ringwood, N.J., native into second in program history, while fellow junior Brooke Wilson propelled herself into third all-time in the women's 3000m after crossing the finish line in 9:05.73 to claim a fifth place result.
Following an impressive debut last month, freshman Natalia Issler continued her stellar rookie season as she placed second in the women's 800m, clocking 2:05.96.
Meanwhile, junior Seren Rodgers closed out competition at the Darius Dixon Invitational by moving into fifth all-time in the women's 200m with a personal-best time of 25.20 seconds.
Notable Results
Men's Mile
- Paul Specht - 3:52.95
- Wes Shipsey - 3:59.68
- Aurelien Radja - 7:45.86
- Hunter Jones - 13:50.46
- Charlie Sprott - 13:58.54
- Natalia Issler - 2:05.96
- Elizabeth Whaley - 4:35.35
- Angelina Perez - 9:01.56
- Brooke Wilson - 9:05.73
2025-26 Indoor Track and Field Top-10 Marks in School History
- Men's 400m
- 5th - Ryan Harper (48.21)
- Men's 600m
- 6th - Max Marino (1:20.96)
- Men's 800m
- 7th - Paul Specht (1:49.34)
- 10th - Wes Shipsey (1:50.61)
- Men's Mile
- 1st - Paul Specht (3:52.95)
- 5th - Bryce Gilmore (3:59.00)
- 6th - Wes Shipsey (3:59.68)
- Men's 3000m
- 2nd - Aurelien Radja (7:45.86)
- 5th - Bryce Gilmore (7:50.89)
- Men's 5000m
- 10th - Bryce Gilmore (13:51.24)
- Women's 60m
- 4th - Seren Rodgers (7.86)
- Women's 60m Hurdles
- 4th - Seren Rodgers (8.63)
- Women's 200m
- 5th - Seren Rodgers (25.20)
- Women's 800m
- 4th - Natalia Issler (2:05.42)
- 6th - Amy Weybrecht (2:09.19)
- Women's 1000m
- 2nd - Amy Weybrecht (2:46.45)
- 4th - Victoria Rodriguez (2:47.24)
- Women's Mile
- 1st - Elizabeth Whaley (4:36.56)
- 7th - Angelina Perez (4:41.24)
- Women's 3000m
- 2nd - Angelina Perez (9:01.56)
- 3rd - Brooke Wilson (9:05.73)
- Women's 5000m
- 1st - Angelina Perez (15:41.86)
- Women's High Jump
- 10th - Seren Rodgers (1.65m)
- Women's Long Jump
- 6th - Seren Rodgers (5.89m)
- 8th - Annie Thorkell (5.85m)
- Women's Pentathlon
- 3rd- Seren Rodgers (3,971 points)
- Women's Triple Jump
- 3rd - Annie Thorkell (12.05m)
From the Staff
"It was a tremendous weekend for the Deacs. We broke school records, likely secured a national qualifying mark and saw an impressive debut performance with strong contributions across all event groups. Our preparation has us exactly where we want to be heading into the ACC Championships in two weeks. Championship season should be very exciting." - Director of Track & Field and Cross Country John Hayes
Up Next
The Demon Deacons will close out their regular season next weekend with a pair of meets.
The Deacs will kick things off next Friday, Feb. 20 at the Boston University DMR Challenge/Last Chance Meet. Wake Forest will then end the regular season back at the JDL Fast Track as they compete in the JDL Last Chance Meet on Saturday, Feb. 21.
Follow the Demon Deacons
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | #GoDeacs
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