The LSU track and field team put up an outstanding performance at the Gatorade Invitational, said Coach Pat Henry.
“For that kind of meet that we went to this weekend, that was an outstanding performance from a lot of our people this week,” Henry said. “Some people are learning how to compete in different environments and that’s really important right now.”
The Tigers and Lady Tigers put up leading times in six events as well as numerous event and Cobb Stadium records.
Both of the teams extended their unbeaten streaks in the 4×100-meter relay. The Lady Tigers won their 11th straight relay title with a meet and stadium record of 43.45 seconds. The Tigers posted a time of 39.07 seconds to also set meet and stadium records.
Neisha Bernard-Thomas won the 800 meters with an NCAA-leading time of 2:02.05.
Henry said he thinks the team is right where it needs to be.
“I think a big part of this group is doing a real good job right now,” Henry said. “We still have some holes, we still have some people that need to come around and get better for us and do some things that are a little bit better as we go. We’re at the time of the year where those things are happening, and they’re starting to happen and not everybody does it at the exact same time.”
Bennie Brazell posted a time of 49.19 seconds in the 400-meter relay. The time is the fastest in the country as well as a meet and stadium record. Henry said he thinks Brazell will get better.
“It’s only about the second race of the year for hurdles so [Bennie] is getting into good track and eld shape and he’s doing real well and I’m looking forward to seeing him improve,” Henry said.
Brazell said he was happy with his performance.
“I’m not surprised,” Brazell said. “That’s a fast time for this early [in the season], but I’ve been working hard and it’s all coming together slowly but surely.”
Kelly Willie posted the fastest time in the nation as well as set meet and stadium records in the 400-meters. Willie’s teammates, Marvin Stevenson and Pete Coley, finished second and third, respectively.
Willie said he was surprised by his performance.
“My performance was a little bit better than I thought,” Willie said. “I knew what I was capable of doing, but at the same time I was just trying to work on my race. It’s one of those track meets where you just work on different phases of your race, and I think I did a really good job this weekend.”
Henry said Willie’s performance was good as well.
“Same thing [as Bennie],” Henry said. “It’s early in the season and things are just starting to happen and we’re real pleased [with] where both [Bennie and Kelly] are right now along with many, many others.”
In field competition for the Tigers, Brandon Racca won the javelin with a season-best of 209 feet 10 inches. Joe Lochridge also put up a season-best 56-7 in the shot put. Willie Bradley won the triple jump, John Moffitt won the long jump, Daniel Trosclair won the pole vault and Matt Vincent won the discus.
Britney Henry won the hammer throw for the Lady Tigers with a distance of 197-8.