LSU became the first ever school to sweep the track national championship as both the men’s and women’s track teams earned the indoor titles in Fayetteville, Ark. on Saturday.
Led by the foursome of Robert Parham, Pete Coley, Bennie Brazell and Kelly Willie, the LSU men’s team clinched the title with its 4×400 time of 3:04.49, edging out the University of Florida.
Coach Pat Henry said he credits the title to the teamwork of the LSU squad.
“This is a good group of kids that really pull for each other,” Henry said. “This week, you could see them looking into each others’ eyes with the trust and understanding that if everyone performed to the best of their ability, they could come out on top.”
In the long jump, All-American John Moffitt earned the title with a jump of 25-2.5 on Friday.
With the win, Moffitt became the first man in LSU history to win the indoor long jump title.
Henry said he was especially impressed with what Moffitt was able to accomplish.
“This meet is about placing,” Henry said. “Anytime you can come in and perform to the best of your ability in the type of situation is a great accomplishment. What John was able to do today was absolutely tremendous.”
Moffitt, whose third jump put him in the finals, said he gained confidence after the jump.
“Things didn’t feel that good during prelims,” Moffitt said. “I had trouble getting on the board, so I knew I had to make my third jump count. That’s the one that got me into the finals and gained me a little confidence.”
Moffitt was not alone in dominating the jumping competition.
Lejuan Simon, who earned All-American honors on Friday with a career-high jump of 25-3.5, earned the triple jump title with a jump of 55-11.25.
Simon said he credits the title to the help of his teammates.
“I couldn’t have done it without my teammates,” Simon said. “John put it out there and I just had to go get it.”
Prior to the jump, Moffitt was in first place with a jump of 54-4. Moffitt ended up in second place behind Simon.
On the women’s side, senior Muna Lee defended her national title with a time of 7.21 seconds in the 60-meter dash.
Lee became the fourth ever athlete in NCAA history to earn consecutive titles in the 60-meter dash.
Despite a season-best time of 22.87 seconds, Lee finished in fourth place in the 200-meter dash.
Arkansas’ Veronica Campbell ran away with the title, finishing with a time of 22.44 seconds.
In the 60-meter hurdles, LSU’s Lolo Jones failed to defend her title, losing to Nebraska’s Priscilla Lopes, who came in at 7.96 seconds.
Henry said that he was pleased with the way Lee and Jones performed.
“Those were three of the finest athletes in the world,” Henry said. “Muna had a good race, but she just got beat tonight.”
In the 800-meter dash, LSU’s Neisha Bernard-Thomas earned second place with a time of 2:04.36.
“This was pretty amazing,” Henry said. “We came in here with an experienced group of athletes. They know how to win and they came in here to win a track meet.”