After closing out the home schedule with the LSU Alumni Gold meet, the LSU Track and Field teams will compete in the Penn Relays today in Philadelphia, Pa.
“This is our last regular season meet,” coach Dennis Shaver said. “Our guys are relaxed, they’re looking forward to it, and it doesn’t look like we’ll get rained on this year – so that’s a plus.”
The meet, which will be LSU’s last before the Southeastern Conference Championships, will last through Saturday.
Shaver said the team will use the meet to prepare LSU for the upcoming post-season meets, which will be similar to the Penn Relays.
“There are a million distractions here and a hundred reasons not to get the job done,” Shaver said. “If they can stay focused on what they have to do and only worry about the things they have control over at this meet, then they can do it anywhere.”
Sophomore Xavier Carter will enter the Penn Relays after being named the SEC Runner of the Week for the second consecutive week and fourth time this season.
The honor came after Carter clocked a school record of 10.12 seconds in the 100-meter dash and helped the 4 x 100-meter relay team place first.
His performance helped the Tigers hold their ranking at No. 2. The women’s team improved one spot to No. 6 in the nation.
The Tigers will also boast several nationally ranked runners in Philadelphia.
Carter is No. 1 in the 200 and No. 2 in the 100. Senior All-American Kelly Willie is No. 3 in the 400.
The duo helped LSU to its No. 1 rankings in both the 4 x 100- and 4 x 400 relay teams, while the women’s relay teams are ranked second nationally in both relays.
The Tigers will attempt to sweep the three relays, including the 4 x 100 relay, which they won at last year’s Penn Relays.
“It’s been over a decade since we won the [4 x 400 relay] with the men at this meet.” Shaver said. “We have a little more experience this year, and the guys are all healthy and running well, so I anticipate that we’ll run well in the relays. Even though we’re the favorites, it’s not an easy thing to win one of them, let alone three.”
 
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