The LSU track and field team saw some fresh faces contribute positively in another solid performance in Fayetteville, Ark., at the Tyson Invitational on Feb. 12 and 13.
The LSU middle distance runners stole the show on the first day of competition at the Randal Tyson Track Center, which is also the site of the Southeastern Conference and NCAA Indoor Championships this season.
All-American LaTavia Thomas came into her senior season with high hopes after three solid years at LSU that included an NCAA Indoor championship in the 800-meter run at Fayetteville in 2008.
Thomas came into the Tyson Invitational still looking to show why many considered her a national title contender before the season started. By the end of the first day, she sprinted her way into the NCAA championships by posting a mark just three tenths of a second off her personal best time.
Thomas blistered the track by running the 800-meter course in 2 minutes, 4.55 seconds. Thomas garnered a runner-up finish in the event.
“I’m glad to get this race out of the way,” Thomas said in a news release. “I didn’t run very fast last week, but knew I could come here and qualify for the NCAA championships.”
The Tiger 800-meter runners ran like they had something to prove as well. Junior Richard Jones and senior Jamaal James each recorded NCAA provisional qualifying times in the event, finishing second and third in the race.
Jones recorded an indoor personal record in the race by running the course in 1 minute, 48.41 seconds, good for No. 5 in the NCAA this season.
“I thought we were able to accomplish a few things today, especially with our middle distance group,” LSU coach Dennis Shaver said in a news release. “That was just a tremendous effort to turn in three performances that will get into the NCAA meet. For many of our athletes, this is the last chance they will have to qualify for the NCAA championships before the conference meet. They certainly took advantage of that today.”
LSU grabbed four more provisional qualifying spots on the second day of competition.
After setting a new personal record in the 400-meter dash on the first day, freshman Caleb Williams returned to the track on the second day and ran an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 21.10 seconds in the 200-meter dash.Williams also ran a 46.08-second split as the anchor on the Tigers’ 4×400-meter relay that lowered its NCAA provisional qualifying time to 3 minutes, 7.22 seconds.
The Lady Tigers 4×400-meter relay also lowered its NCAA provisional qualifying time at the meet to 3 minutes, 34.11 seconds, which is the No. 3 time in the nation this season.
“The Tyson Invitational is always a turning point for both of our teams during the indoor season since we will now make the transition to the championship season,” Shaver said. “In many ways, we took some positive steps forward as we prepare to come back to Fayetteville for the SEC Indoor Championships in two weeks.”
 
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