Walter Davis and Muna Lee were both newcomers to the NCAA indoor and outdoor track and field world last year and both had great success.
But what could they possibly do for an encore this time around at the LSU Purple Tiger Invitational Saturday at the Carl Maddox Field House?
In their second meet of the indoor season, both were a step above the field. Again.
Davis, last year’s 2001 Southeastern Conference Champion and NCAA runner-up in the long jump, found a way to come through in the competition. Davis’ mark of 26-6 1/2 inches propelled him ahead of former indoor teammate Marcus Thomas.
The mark not only won the event, but was an NCAA qualifying mark. Davis, a 2000 Olympian, also had a qualifying mark in the triple jump.
In addition, Davis’ mark was the second- farthest long jump of the year in the nation.
Head coach Pat Henry said Davis is a phenomenal athlete. He said Davis continues to impress.
“That [mark is] outstanding,” Henry said. “He’s one of those guys. There’s very few athletes like that. Not track athletes, very few athletes [period]. To be able to call on yourself to win an event is just amazing. I haven’t seen too many guys like that ever. He’s a unique guy.”
Then there is Lee.
She captured both the 60 and 200-meter titles. Though she still is excelling, Henry said he is working with her to get off the block better to improve her times. Her 7.39 in the 60 and 24.08 in the 200 were both provisional marks.
“It’s kind of like a Porsche or a Volkswagon,” Henry said. “They both line up at the same line, but it’s that power of the Porsche that gets you off that line. She’s still a very slight young lady.
“She’s working hard. A power position like the start is difficult for her. She’s getting better at it. It’s a matter of time and just being able to handle the workload. She’s a unique individual — no freshman has ever won the 100 and 200 meters at the Southeastern Conference Championship, so we know that she’s awfully good.”
Other members of the team also stood out at Saturday’s meet. Freshman Mallory McDonald broke a school record in the women’s 20-pound weight throw, tallying a 60-2 mark. It also gave LSU its first ever provisional qualifying mark in the event.
“That’s a good one for us,” Henry said. “Anyone who throws it that far, that young [is good]; she’s getting better.”
Javier Nieto had success in the men’s 35 pound weight throw, improving his qualifying mark in the process and winning the event. His 64-7 throw also tied his personal best.
Lolo Jones picked up the win in the short hurdles and pumped up her provisional mark. Ronetta Smith also picked up a provisional mark, even though she finished second in the 400-meters.
Henry said he knew this meet would be more competitive than last week’s SEC Team Competition in Fayetteville, Ark. He said the team got through the meet healthy, an accomplishment that does not show up statistically.
“It’s early and we’re trying to accomplish a few things and not over-do it too early,” Henry said. “The most important thing we accomplished was we got through this healthy. That’s the key for us right now because we’re training hard, trying to compete on the weekends and in about a week and a half, we start trying to get ready for the indoor championships. If you aren’t training hard at this time of the year, you aren’t going to be doing things you need to do when it counts later on.”
Henry said LSU also looked impressive in the men’s 200-meters, in which Robert Parham and Pete Coley finished first and second, respectively. Henry also said freshman weight thrower and shot putter Matt Vincent was impressive.
Last weekend at the SEC Team Competition, LSU pulled out 10 qualifying marks. Both squads are rated at No. 3 in the latest track polls.