The LSU track and field teams will return home to Bernie Moore Track Stadium this weekend for the LSU Alumni Gold meet, starting at 9 a.m tomorrow.
The Tigers and Lady Tigers both enter the meet coming off a stellar performance at the Jim Click Shootout in Arizona last weekend. They earned second and first places, respectively.
LSU coach Dennis Shaver said he thinks his team is progressing at a good pace as it nears the midway point of the outdoor regular season. The meet is an opportunity for LSU to build on its recent success at its home track.
“Each week, we’re making more progress with both teams,” Shaver said. “We are progressing quite well, and if we can carry that momentum into this weekend we can really get something going.”
The women’s 4×100 meter relay team will look to defend its new No.1 NCAA ranking it captured during LSU’s sweep of the event in Arizona. The Tigers also picked up the 4×100 meter relay title and set their own stadium record with a time of 38.95 seconds.
Sophomore sprinter Jada Martin was a key part of the 4×100 team’s victory. She heads into the weekend with momentum after earning the Southeastern Conference Women’s Runner of the Week recognition Tuesday.
Two LSU sprinters will compete in an event for the first time this year. Seniors Aaron Ernest and Vernon Norwood will make their season debuts in the 100-meter dash and 400-meter dash, respectively.
Senior thrower Tori Bliss will look to carry over momentum from her record-setting performance in the shot put throw in her outdoor season debut last weekend. Bliss broke her own school record with a throw of 57 feet, 5.5 inches.
“Anybody can hit a big one at any point in time,” Bliss said “It’s just another mark, and there’s always room for improvement.”
Bliss said it’s important to keep a persistent mentality so she can have another strong performance this weekend.
“It’s cool to get the alumni to come back, and it’s another opportunity to better my marks,” Bliss said. “Hopefully I can keep setting myself up to be in a good spot before the postseason.”
Shaver said the meet comes at an important time of the season and his teams should seize the opportunity.
“This can be exciting for us,” Shaver said. “We can get some more people qualified [for the preliminary round of the NCAA championships] and more importantly get prepared for the postseason in general.”
You can reach Mario Jerez on Twitter @MJerezIIITDR.
LSU track and field returns home for Alumni Gold Meet
By Mario Jerez
April 16, 2015
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