LSU track and field athlete Tima Godbless became the world’s fastest woman in the 100-meter after this week’s NCAA regionals in Jacksonville, Florida.
Over four days, LSU competed in the East First Round to send 14 athletes to the national championship.
Godbless accomplished a first in her career–covering 100 meters in less than 11 seconds– and something only a few have been able to complete.
In her first event of regionals, she shaved over a tenth off her previous personal record and crossed the line at 10.91 seconds. Godbless was visibly shocked, covering her mouth with her hands as she glanced at her time.
Her time ranks No. 1 in the world and the NCAA for 2025, and it’s the No. 4 time in LSU history.
The star sprinter will also go on to race in the 200-meter at the national championships after she and fellow sophomore Aniyah Bigam earned qualifying spots on the final day of competition.
Michaela Rose dominantly returned to the track for her rounds of 800-meter qualifying. Her first time of 2:01.75 won her heat, but Rose bested herself on the final day with a 1:58.91, punching her ticket to the national championship.
She is a member of an elite group of three women who have raced the 800-meter in under 1:59. This was the second time this season Rose met that mark, coming close to her record of 1:58.12.
At the SEC Outdoor Championships two weeks prior, she was the only Tiger to win gold–an SEC-record sixth 800-meter conference title.
Just before LSU traveled regionals, Rose was named to the Bowerman Post-Outdoor Conference Championship Watchlist for her historic run and anticipated performance at the national level.
Additional track qualifiers include Edna Chepkemoi, junior duo Matthew Sophia and Jaheim Stern, Jaiden Reid, Machaeda Linton, Aniyah Bigam, Nasya Williams, Ella Onojuvwevo and Garriel White.
Multiple field competitors solidified their spots, including throwers Trinity Spooner and Princesse Hyman and senior pole vaulter Johanna Duplantis for her first.
She had a last-minute breakout performance when she cleared 4.24 meters on her final attempt. Duplantis is the fourth pole vaulter in her family to compete in the NCAA championships, following her father and two brothers.
The NCAA Championships will be held in Eugene, Oregon, on June 11-14, and decide who will emerge from the postseason finale as a national champion.
