FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason track and field program will open its outdoor campaign on Friday at the Fred Hardy Invitational, hosted by Richmond, at Robins Stadium in Richmond, Va. 
 
The Patriots return to the Fred Hardy Invitational for the first time in three years. The previous two meets were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Friday's meet will be broadcast nationally on ESPN+. Live results can be found here. 
 
The meet will begin at 9 a.m. with the men's hammer throw. The running events are slated for 1 p.m. with the 3000m steeplechase. The final event of the day, the men's 4x400 relay, is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. 
 
Mason's 2022 outdoor schedule features nine regular season meets and the Atlantic 10 Outdoor Championships, hosted by VCU, on May 7-8.
 
The NCAA East Preliminary Championships are set for May 25-28 in Bloomington, Ind. The University of Oregon will host the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships on June 8-11 at Hayward Field.
 
The Patriots last competed at the 2022 Atlantic 10 Indoor Championships on Feb. 26-27 at the George Mason Field House. The Mason men finished third in the team standings while the women placed fourth.
 
The Patriots notched 15 medals over the two-day championship event, highlighted by seven A-10 titles. 
 
Jaylen Simmons was named Atlantic 10 Most Outstanding Field Performer for the fourth time in his career after sweeping the weight throw and shot put titles. He is now a five-time Atlantic 10 individual champion. 
 
Other Patriots to earn A-10 titles were Cason Gardner (Heptathlon), Grace Furlong (Triple Jump), Xavier Shirley (Long Jump), Isaiah Carter (200m) and the men's 4x400 relay. 
 
Up next, Mason will head to the Raleigh Relays on March 24-26 in Raleigh, N.C.