LSU went to College Station, Texas, on Saturday alongside Ole Miss and Florida to face host Texas A&M, Texas and Missouri in the Southeastern Conference/Big 12 Challenge.Tigers Walter Henning and Trindon Holliday added to their standout performances last week at the Carl Maddox Field House by setting NCAA-leading marks in their respective events.Henning, who already set an LSU indoor record throw at the Purple Tiger Invitational with an NCAA automatic qualifying mark of 72 feet, 3 3/4 inches, dominated the competition Saturday in the men’s weight throw with a personal best throw of 73 feet, 4 3/4 inches on his third toss of the day.Missouri senior weight thrower Chris Rohr, the Big 12’s leading weight thrower, finished second with a throw of 69 feet, 7 1/2 inches.”This is definitely a step in the right direction,” Henning said.Holliday, who went into the meet with the Tigers’ fastest 60-meter dash time (6.66 seconds), left with an NCAA season-best time of 6.56 seconds to take the title.Sophomore Kenyanna Wilson (7.42 seconds in the 60-meter dash), senior Kayann Thompson (2 minutes, 8.73 seconds in the 800-meter dash), sophomore Brittani Carter (5 feet, 10 inches in the high jump) and freshman Rachel Laurent (12 feet, 11 3/4 inches in the pole vault) all reached 2009 NCAA qualifying performances for the Lady Tigers.Unfortunately for the SEC, the Big 12 won the men’s title, 332-279, and the women’s title, 359-226.It will not be the last time LSU will run at the Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium at Texas A&M. The NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships begin there March 13.
Saturday: Henning, Holliday set NCAA-leading marks in SEC/Big 12 Challenge
By Rowan Kavner
Sports Contributor
Sports Contributor
February 1, 2009