The LSU men’s and women’s track and field teams traveled to Fayetteville, Ark., this weekend to compete in the Tyson Invitational. LSU track and field Coach Dennis Shaver described his team’s performance best.
“I feel this is as good a team performance as we’ve had at the Tyson Invitational over the past few seasons,” Shaver said.
For a coach who has won seven Southeastern Conference championships since becoming LSU head coach in 2004, the previously mentioned statement holds significant weight.
LSU junior sprinter Vernon Norwood wasted no time making his presence known, as the South Plains College transfer successfully defended his 400-meter title Friday.
After not winning either of the first two heats, Norwood blazed past Florida State’s Alonzo Russell in the third and final heat. Norwood credited a strong start to achieve his time of 45.81.
“I just needed to be aggressive from the start,” Norwood said in a news release. “I’ve got to get out faster to put myself in position to win.”
Although Norwood ran his first race, both as a Tiger and of the 2014 season, the Morgan City native already ranks as the No.3 best 400-meter runner in the NCAA. In a conference that features the four fastest 400-meter times, Norwood’s follow-up to last week’s impressive debut in College Station didn’t disappoint.
“You come to LSU to run in the SEC against the best competition, and I just try to compete as hard as I can,” Norwood said.
Lady Tiger hurdler Jasmin Stowers set the tone for the LSU women when she raced to her fifth 60-meter title in five attempts.
In what was expected to be a preview of the looming SEC and NCAA 60-meter hurdles championships, Stowers tested her No. 2 ranking against the NCAA’s No.1, No.3 and No.4 runners, crossing the line in 8.04 seconds.
LSU runners turned in strong showings running together, too.
While only the Tigers finished first in their 4×400-meter relay, the Lady Tigers joined their male counterparts in setting season-best times in the event.
LSU finished Saturday’s competition at the Tyson Invitational the same way it began the meet on Friday.
LSU’s No. 2 4×400-meter relay team of sophomore Darrell Bush, junior Quincy Downing, sophomore Cyril Grayson and Norwood beat out Florida State, Nebraska and South Plains with a time of 3 minutes, 4.60 seconds
LSU also performed quite well in its field events, appropriately complementing the team’s track results.
Freshman long jumper Nataliyah Friar, senior pole vaulter Joseph Caraway , senior triple jumper Keri Emanuel and sophomore high jumper Shanice Hall all won their respective events while setting season-bests.
As the Tigers and Lady Tigers prepare to host their only indoor event this upcoming weekend, the SEC Championships are now less than two weeks away, and Shaver said he is pleased with his team’s current positions.
“We came here with some specific goals of things we wanted to get done to really put us in a better position to compete when we go to the SEC and NCAA meets, I thought our athletes did a good job of that this weekend,” Shaver said.
“You come to LSU to run in the SEC against the best competition, and I just try to compete as hard as I can.”