LSU senior Tori Bliss has enjoyed a memorable collegiate career, breaking multiple school records, being named an All-American and becoming one of the brightest stars in the history of a prestigious LSU women’s track and field program.
She kicked off her final season on team with a bang, setting an indoor school record for the shot put competition with a throw that traveled 57 feet and 2.75 inches at the LSU Indoor Invitational earlier this month.
 Bliss became the best indoor shot putter in LSU women’s track and field history by breaking the previous mark by more than a foot. The previous record was set in 1994 by LSU legend and former NCAA discus champion Danyel Mitchell.
 Bliss realizes the significance of her achievement. It’s a culmination of all the hard work she has put in for the team.
 “It was pretty cool to take the record down. It’s been up for a while,” Bliss said. “21 years
is a long time.”
 Bliss was a versatile athlete growing up and played multiple sports, including soccer, volleyball and basketball. She started competing in shot put competitions right before she was in high school as a seventh grader.
 Bliss said at first, she only joined the team in middle school as a way to stay in shape in between fall and winter sports. She played softball and track and field during her freshman year of high school until finally deciding to focus solely on the latter.
 Bliss was impressive at LSU from the start, finishing her first indoor track and field season as the No. 2-ranked freshman in the country and breaking multiple school records since. She also holds the outdoor shot-put women’s record, a record she broke during her sophomore year in 2013 and again in 2014 at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. 
“It’s nice to establish some presence and bring the spotlight to shot put throwers here at LSU,” Bliss said.
 Although she has had many accomplishments, Bliss feels one thing is missing; a national title, something the Lady Tigers haven’t won since 2008.
 “Everybody wants to win a national championship,” Bliss said. “That’s why we’re always so competitive and everybody’s getting after it every day.”
 Although this year’s team is younger, Bliss believes the team will continue LSU’s tradition of winning.
 “A lot of people are doubting the women a little bit, saying we’re too young to be competive,” she said. “LSU Track and Field is a dynasty. We don’t have 31 national championships for no reason and we’ll always
compete.”
 Bliss and the rest of the track and field team will be in action again this weekend at the Rod McCravy Invitational in Lexington, Kentucky. The Lady Tigers will compete against the hosting Kentucky Wildcats along with other Southeastern Conference teams.
You can reach Mario Jerez on Twitter @MJerezIII_TDR