The LSU men’s and women’s cross country teams will compete in the Texas A&M Invitational in College Station, TX at the Watts Cross Country Course on Sept. 26. The men’s race will start at 8:15 a.m., followed by the women’s race at 9:00 a.m.
The men will be running the 8,000-meter, while the women will be running the 6,000-meter.
This meet is a big one for both the Tigers and Lady Tigers, as they will be competing against 15 top South Central schools, including regionally ranked No. 2 Texas A&M. The University of Texas, which is ranked No. 27 nationally, will compete in the meet as well.
LSU will also face Southeastern Conference opponent Missouri, whose men’s and women’s teams rank 14th and 8th, respectively.
“This is supposed to be the test of the season to see where we’re at,” said LSU freshman runner Dajour Braxton. “A lot of good schools are going to be there, really good schools. I’m still a freshman so I have nothing to lose, I’m just going to go out and do my best.”
Last week for the Tigers, Braxton crossed the line for a first-place finish at the LSU Invitational. Junior Christian Johnson, junior Blair Henderson and sophomore Jack Wilkes all finished in the top five, while sophomore DC Lipani and freshman Jackson Fountain rounded out the top ten.
For the Lady Tigers, Morgan Schuetz had a less-than-desirable third-place finish after coming off of a first-place win the prior week at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Festival. Three freshmen, Hannah Bourque, Hollie Parker and Erika Lewis, had top ten finishes, along with sophomore Rebecca Little.
Essentially, all eyes should be on Braxton and Schuetz. Braxton has had two victories in the last three races, along with a third-place finish with teammate DC Lipani at the McNeese Relays, and will be looking to keep his success going. Braxton may have competition with Christian Johnson, who has been trailing just behind Braxton all season. Schuetz, who also finished first at the McNeese Relays with teammate Erika Lewis, has been a top contender in her three years at LSU and will be looking for redemption from her last performance.
“I fully believe in my coach and I fully believe in his workouts,” Schuetz said. “I’m biased, but LSU is one of the best teams.”
After the Texas A&M Invitational, the Tigers and Lady Tigers will hit the track at the Chile Pepper Festival in Fayetteville, AR at the Agri Cross Country Course.