The men’s and women’s track and field team are preparing for their second home meet in two weeks.
The defending national champion Lady Tigers retained their No.1 ranking in the latest Trackwire rankings for the thrid consecutive week, holding off No. 2 Texas by 16 points. The men’s team moved up one spot, ranking No. 2 in the country behind defending national champion Arkansas.
Track coach Pat Henry said although he is happy with the Tigers’ performance so far, he is not satisfied.
“This is one more step toward where we want to be,” Henry said. “We’re pleased with where we are at this point. It is important that they compete hard and leave healthy.”
All-American Nicole Toney qualified for the NCAA Championships in last week’s Purple Tiger Invitational.
Toney is ranked No. 1 in the nation in the triple jump and Lolo Jones is the nation’s best at the 60-meter hurdles.
Hurdler RaNysha LeBlanc, thrower Mallory McDonald and long-jumper LeJuan Simon added their names to the list of Tigers to provisionally qualify last week.
Simon, who automatically qualified in the triple jump last week, placed first with a distance of 25-7/2.
The Tiger 4×400-meter relay team is ranked No. 1 in the men’s standings.
LeJuan Simon, who qualified in the triple jump and provisionally in the long jump, said while he is working to get better, his focus before the NCAA Championhips is to remain rested.
“I’m just going to take my time to keep my body fresh without being burnt out,” Simon said. “But I’m still going to compete.”
Simon said fatigue is a bigger concern for himself because he is also looking forward to the Olympic Trials after the NCAA Championships.
The Bayou Bengal Invitational (IND) will beign at the Madddox Field House Friday at 3 p.m. with field events beginning at 3 p.m, followed by running events at 6 p.m.
Henry said although it is important to keep players healthy, he does not plan to rest athletes who already qualified because the team’s goal is to win each meet.
“To be an NCAA Champion, you have to be better than that,” Henry said. “They have to continue to try to get better.”
Henry snapped his fingers to illustrate the hundredths of a second difference between a national champion and a sixth place finisher in sprints.
“You’ve got to be at the top of your game,” Henry said. “You’ve got to be at your best for March 12-13.”