Cross country coach Khadevis Robinson’s first recruiting class is outperforming expectations halfway through its first year.
LSU’s men’s team features four new faces running in purple and gold this season, and they’ve already made a name for themselves.
“All my freshmen are really plugged in on the men’s side,” Robinson said. “I have a good group of freshmen.”
Freshman Jack Wilkes from Airline High School committed to LSU after asserting himself as the best middle-distance talent in Louisiana and in the top 30 in the nation in the 800-meter race. He caught Robinson’s eye as a three-time state champion in the 800-meter race at Airline.
Wilkes started his college career finishing in 10th place at the McNeese Relay alongside fellow freshman DC Lipani in the 8k relay. His most impressive finish to date is sixth place at the LSU Invitational, where he clocked in at 15:57.78 in the 5k course.
“The upperclassmen are leading us and telling us all the right things to do; we’re just trying to follow in their footsteps,” Wilkes said.
Lipani, a product of St. Paul’s High School in Covington, Louisiana, won Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week honors after finishing in eighth place at the LSU Invitational and 26th at the McNeese Cowboy Stampede. Lipani was the first Tiger to be named SEC Freshman Runner of the Week since Laura Carleton in September 2012.
“It is a testament to what [Robinson] has done for us,” Lipani said. “I’m looking forward to what he can do for us long-term.”
Lipani’s journey to LSU included back-to-back Louisiana state titles in the 3,200-meter race, and he broke the state record with a time of 9 minutes and 20 seconds.
Robinson said Lipani has all the makings to be a serious contributor to the team.
“DC wants it. It’s not just his talent; everyone has talent,” Robinson said. “He just has that inner drive. When things don’t go the way he expects, he wants to know why it didn’t go well and wants to make it better.”
Freshman Bryan Stamey joined LSU after a successful high school career at Episcopal High School in Baton Rouge. Stamey was a three-time state champion and earned Class 2A All-State recognition three times. During his senior season he broke the school records in the 1,600 and 3,200-meter races.
He teamed with freshman Daniel Tanner for a ninth-place finish at the McNeese Relay in his first race with the Tigers. Stamey also finished the 5k course at the LSU Invitational in 13th place.
Tanner came to LSU after a successful prep career at C.E. Byrd High School, where he broke the school record in the 5k and 3,200 meter courses.
As a Tiger, Tanner finished in 12th place at the LSU Invitational, a marked improvement from his No. 46 finish at the Rice Invitational early in the season.
The future of LSU’s cross country program under Robinson is led by a crop of freshmen exceeding expectations, and Robinson said the future is bright.
“My freshmen are doing a great job, and I expect them to do great things next year,” Robinson said.