If it weren’t for Richard Thompson, Trindon Holliday would own LSU’s school record in the 60-meter dash. Holliday clocked an impressive 6.61 seconds time this past weekend at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational in New York City. His time surpassed Thompson’s old school record of 6.62 seconds set at the Razorback Invitational on Jan. 26. But Thompson had other plans. In the same race, Thompson ran an NCAA-leading 6.57 seconds, breaking his own school record for the second time this season and finishing just ahead of Holliday. “If Richard wouldn’t have been in that race, Trindon is our school record holder in the 60 meters in only his second race [this season],” LSU coach Dennis Shaver said. “Richard was in lane three, and Trindon was in lane seven, so they were far enough apart so that it wasn’t until late in the race that Trindon realized that Richard was a little bit ahead.” But do not expect any animosity between the two star sprinters. Both runners insist the rivalry is friendly. “Richard and I have a good relationship,” Holliday said. “I don’t see him as much around school, but when we get out [to the track] … we hang around [each other] a lot.” Thompson said he has become close with Holliday. “We always joke around,” he said. Holliday and Thompson form a formidable duo that has the potential to score big at the NCAA Indoor Championships, which take place March 14 and 15. The two runners said they understand how they can complement each other in each race. “I think they understand that when we get into the championship meets, it’s not about which one of them can be up front,” Shaver said. “It’s about them both being up front.” Thompson said he and Holliday push – but do not try to impress – each other in practice. “We just try to stick to the [practice schedule] and not try to out-do each other,” Thompson said. “I think we work really smart, and we’ll be able to do much better because of it.” The budding 60-meter rivalry only recently developed in the past few weeks. Shaver said this past week’s practice was the first time Holliday and Thompson have worked on block starts together. Thompson said both he and Holliday will continue to vie for the school record throughout the season. “I know that after this weekend’s he’s going to be motivated to run even faster,” Thompson said. “And he’s aware of the fact that I’m also running well.” Shaver said he has seen Holliday and Thompson quickly form a healthy competitive relationship. “They’ve got tremendous respect for one another,” Shaver said. “But without that kind of competitiveness, they wouldn’t be as good as what they are.” Holliday and Thompson believe their finishes will flip-flop through the season. “We just tell each other when we come out here to practice, we come out to be the best [and] finish first and second in the 60 meters wherever we go, whether it’s him finishing first or me finishing first,” Holliday said. Shaver said he has been impressed with Thompson’s confidence in the 60-meter dash this season. “He’s really kind of figured that race out right now,” Shaver said. “He’s had several attempts to kind of refine it, and so I feel that he’s gained a lot of confidence.” Thompson has won every 60-meter race he has competed in this season. Two of those victories have come in New York City – at the New Balance Invitational this past weekend and at the 101st Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden one week earlier. Thompson has been impressed as well – not with himself, but with how quickly Holliday has made the transition from football to track. Shaver has been equally impressed with Holliday’s quick progression. “He’s only been training with us for about three weeks, and I was little unsure about how ready he was,” Shaver said. “But it was probably the best I’ve seen him run the last 30 meters of any 60-meter race I’ve ever seen him run.”
—-Contact Robert Stewart at [email protected]