After claiming national titles for the University, several LSU track and field athletes competed in the 2003 USA Track and Field National Championships last week at Stanford.
Pat Henry, LSU track and field head coach, said the USA National Championships is a qualifying meet for the World Championships and Pan-American Games. Next year the competition will be the qualifying meet for the Olympics.
Junior Muna Lee, who helped the Lady Tigers claim the 2003 indoor and outdoor national titles, ran for the third fastest time (11.16 seconds) in the 100-meter dash, Thursday. Lee finished behind Olympian Torri Edwards (11.00) and Olympic gold medalist Gail Devers (11.15).
However, Lee failed to advance to the final round Saturday.
Henry said having less than a week to rest between the NCAA nationals and the USA nationals hampered Lee’s performance.
“The amount of time at NCAA’s makes it hard to stay focused,” Henry said. “But, the experience is invaluable. Next year will be her year.”
Junior Nicole Toney also competed in the USA National Championships. Toney, who finished fourth in the triple jump at the NCAA championships, jumped short of her NCAA performance, 44-5 1/4, to finish with a jump of 43-7 1/4. She finished 11th overall.
Junior John Moffit finished eighth in the long jump (24-11 1/4).
Henry said it is unfortunate that the USA Championships took place so close to the NCAA’s. He said it puts collegiate athletes at a disadvantage against the professional athletes.
“Collegiates run a lot more races during the year,” he said.
Henry said the 2004 USA nationals are scheduled for the end of July. He feels this will give the collegiate athletes more time for rest and preparation.
“I think it’s a learning experience for [collegiate athletes],” Henry said.
Former Tiger standout, Walter Davis, finished second overall in the triple jump after jumping for 57-7. Henry said Davis qualified for both the World Championships and the Pan-American Games and will have to decide whether to attend both.
Russ Buller, former LSU pole-vaulter, finished sixth in the pole vault event clearing the pole at 18-2 1/2.