The LSU track and field teams opened the outdoor season with the women winning first place, while the men came in second at Mississippi State’s Southeastern Conference quadrangular meet Saturday in Starkville, Miss.
LSU head coach Pat Henry said the opening of the outdoor season allowed more of the team’s athletes to compete this weekend.
“We competed a lot of people who have not been able to compete indoors,” Henry said. “Those people had good meets this weekend.”
Henry said the Tigers suffered no injuries this weekend, which is vital future success.
“We had a good performance, and we stayed healthy,” Henry said. “You can’t win if you’re not healthy.”
The LSU women opened the outdoor season the same way it finished indoors — on top. The Lady Tigers scored 128 points in the first-place performance, while Mississippi State and Arkansas followed with scores of 109 and 108, respectively.
Stephanie Butler and Ranysha Leblanc led LSU in the running events. Butler earned first place in the 400-meter dash with a time of 55.76 seconds, while Leblanc earned first in the 100-meter hurdles and second in the 200-meter in 13.57 seconds and 24.40, respectively.
Maria Romero was one of three Lady Tigers to place first in the field events. The junior won the javelin throw with a distance of 47.95 meters, which ranks fourth in school history.
The LSU men placed second at the meet with a score of 161.50, while Mississippi State placed first with 174 points.
Tiger junior Marlon Greensword took first place in the 400 in 47.84 seconds. Greensword along with Jamison Carter, Anthony Ewers and Pedro Tunon combined to win the 4 X 400-meter relay for LSU with a time of 3:11.72.
Matt Vincent pulled double duty for LSU in the field events as he competed for the first time this year. The sophomore from Sulphur placed first in the discus throw at 49.38 meters and third in the shot put. LSU junior Joe Lochridge placed first in the shot put with a throw of 17.03 meters.