Entering the championship season, the LSU track and field team has a laundry list of accolades.
Even if the weather refuses to cooperate.
LSU track coach Dennis Shaver said his team has responded well prior to the championship season, even though he said there has not been suitable weather at a meet in over a month.
“I’ve felt that we’ve had very good practices, but then when we go and have the competition, we’re not able to do anything in the meet to show it [because of the weather],” Shaver said.
After a third-place finish at the NCAA Indoor Track Championships, the Lady Tigers have opened the outdoor season with a bang, claiming two Penn Relays titles and garnering “Team of the Meet” honors at the Texas Relays. The Lady Tigers have been paced by Bowerman Award finalist junior Kimberlyn Duncan, who holds the NCAA lead in both the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes and has won 15 straight collegiate finals in the 200-meter dash.
The Tigers will look to build on a fifth-place finish at the indoor national championships and a 4×400-meter relay title at the Penn Relays as they head into the Southeastern Conference and NCAA Championship meets.
Senior hurdler Barrett Nugent pointed to the string of bad weather as a hindrance for the season thus far, but the defending 110-meter hurdles national champion has high aspirations for this championship season.
“We’ve had our ups and downs, but now it’s time to fix everything and put it together,” Nugent said.
Before the track season began, the LSU cross country team served as a precursor for many distance runners to gear up for track season.
“We kind of use it also as a stepping stone,” said assistant track coach Mark Elliott. “Some of the kids who don’t do as well are now excelling on the track.”
The Lady Tigers were led by junior Charlene Lipsey, who admitted cross country is “not really her thing.” However, she is seeing it pay dividends on the track in her improved 800-meter run times.
Elliot said the Lady Tigers will be “vastly improved” next season, and will look to top their 19th place finish at the NCAA South Central Regional.
Senior Cullen Doody said he savored his last year of cross country for the Tigers, making it his best yet.
“I had really a breakthrough season,” Doody said. “I’m sad that I’m graduating, but it’s good looking out for them [underclassmen].”
 
____ Contact Chandler Rome at [email protected]