LSU’s track and field teams qualified 11 athletes last weekend at the Sun Angel Classic in Tempe, Ariz. But coach Dennis Shaver wanted more. “We have a lot of people who haven’t qualified,” Shaver said. “They only have two chances left. They can’t go to the NCAA championships without qualifying for regionals.”Blustery conditions led to kinks in Shaver’s game plan. “Honestly, the weather was a big factor,” Shaver said. “It was raining. It hasn’t rained in Arizona in 60 days, so when it did, they weren’t prepared.”The weather led to multiple Tigers being held out of events. “It was impossible,” Shaver said. “With the wind and the rain, there was no way they could run. I would have been more concerned if they ran.”Shaver said the 4-by-4 relay was the main event affected by the weather. Sophomore All-American Walter Henning headlined the LSU effort in Tempe, heaving his way into the LSU record book. Henning recorded a hammer throw of 235 feet, 5 inches. The throw earned Henning first place in the meet by an astounding 11 feet. Senior Rabun Fox and sophomore Chris Bless pitched season bests in the hammer throw with tosses of 202 feet, 6 inches and 196 feet, 7 inches, respectively. In the men’s 800-meter contest, junior Richard Jones sprinted past the field after crossing the finish line in 1 minute, 48.85 seconds. Also qualifying for the men were juniors Jamaal Jones in the 800-meter, Armanti Hayes in the 400-meter and Josh Dominguez in the pole vault. “We had some really good performances,” Shaver said. Fellow All-American LaTavia Thomas blitzed the field in the women’s 800-meter race, posting a time of 2 minutes, 4.48 seconds. The time was the second fastest in the NCAA this season. Junior Samantha Henry, sophomore Kenyanna Wilson, junior Liann Kellman and junior Kristina Davis all qualified for the Lady Tigers in the 200-meter race. The group represented four of seven Lady Tigers who qualified at the meet. “Overall, I’m pleased with the progress they’re making,” Shaver said. The Tigers are staying home this weekend, competing in the LSU Alumni Gold Meet at Bernie Moore Track Stadium. “The Alumni Gold Meet is always outstanding,” Shaver said. “We get to focus on individual events. This is the last regular season competition.”Fortunately for the teams, Shaver believes the weather shouldn’t pose a problem. “We hope to have better weather,” Shaver said. “We’re counting on conditions to be different in Baton Rouge.”
 
 
 
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