The LSU track and field team will travel to the Armory Collegiate Invitational in New York this weekend for its largest meet of the indoor season with a heavy focus on preparation for the indoor national championship meets.
LSU coach Dennis Shaver said the meet, which has more than 100 universities competing on Friday and Saturday, has a “carnival kind of atmosphere” with similarities to the Southeastern Conference and NCAA meets in late February and early March.
Shaver said his younger athletes will benefit from competing in such a hectic environment with so many distractions.
“Even when you go to SEC and NCAAs, you really have to focus on the things you have control over and block out all of the other things,” Shaver said. “It’s always interesting to see how they adapt.”
Large meets teach the athletes to have consistent performances at a high level, according to Shaver. An event like the 60-meter dash may feature as many as 100 runners in the trials.
“That’s all part of getting them prepared for the championship meets where even in the prelim round you have to run it like it’s a final,” Shaver said. “… They’ve got to hit it quick, or they’re not going to get a chance to run it the second time.”
Shaver said there will be a couple of changes and additions in the event lineups. Senior jumper Damar Forbes will participate in the long jump for the first time this season.
Forbes, who finished as the 2012 NCAA Indoor runner-up, said lately he has been setting a lot of personal records in his events, so he is excited about finally getting started on his main event.
“I’m just trying to keep calm right now and not get too energetic about anything,” Forbes said. “I’m trying to stay focused.”
Middle distance runners junior Natoya Goule and senior Charlene Lipsey, who placed first and second in the 800-meter run last weekend at the Razorback Invitational, are testing the waters in different events. Lipsey will run the 1000-meter run, and Goule will run the 400 meters.
Who: LSU Track and Field, Armory Collegiate Invitational
When: Friday Feb. 2 and Saturday Feb. 3 at noon
Where: New Balance Track & Field Center in New York, N.Y.
