It’s off to the big city for the LSU track and field teams.
The No. 4 Tigers and No. 4 Lady Tigers are in New York City this weekend for the New Balance Collegiate Invitational.
With more than 117 teams and 2000 individuals competing, it is the biggest meet of the young season for the Tigers.
“This will be our first true test … to see how everyone responds to the distractions that go along with a meet like this,” said LSU coach Dennis Shaver.
Shaver said the biggest test will be how the team responds to the crowd and subsequent lack of space. He said finding places to warm up and warm down properly will be a challenge.
“It’s a production,” Shaver said. “There will be a lot of noise. It’ll be jam packed with people. It’ll be an exciting meet for the athletes.”
This meet will be an important step for LSU on its road to the Southeastern Conference Indoor Championships on Feb. 26-28.
The event is the first two-day meet LSU participated in this season. It is set up in the same fashion as the SEC and NCAA championship meets, with trials and finals.
“A two-day meet is something you can closely simulate what they’re going to simulate in a championship meet,” Shaver said.
Recent weather conditions forced the runners and jumpers to practice inside, though the throwers were able to practice outdoors.
“The weather conditions that we’ve experienced over the last month or so has made it a real challenge to train at the level and intensity that we’d like,” Shaver said. “Whenever we’re forced indoors, our facility really limits what we can do in order to keep all of our people healthy.”
Junior thrower Walter Henning said he was pleased for the most part with his progress so far this season.
Last week, Henning was named the SEC Male Field Athlete of the Week for his performance at the New Mexico Invitational. Henning broke his own school record with a throw of 75 feet, 8 inches in the 35-pound weight throw.
Henning, a New York native, said he expects to throw well in his home state.
“I’m very happy where we are this point in the year,” Henning said. “I think every week has been a step toward nationals.”
Senior sprinter Samantha Henry said she sees this meet as a chance to continue to improve upon her performances every week.
“I definitely have to step it up in New York,” Henry said. “Last week was better than what I did in the first meet, but it’s still not where I want to be.”
Henry said she is excited about the chance to compete against some of the best teams in the country.
“It’s definitely exciting. It’s New York,” Henry said. “This is going to be our most competitive meet yet. A lot of the top teams are there. It’s a great environment to compete in, and I definitely think I’ll do well.”
Shaver said the key is to continue slight improvements from week to week to be as sharp as possible when the team goes to Fayetteville, Ark., for the SEC Championships.
—-Contact Katherine Terrell at [email protected]