LSU men’s track and field protects No. 1 outdoor ranking, women fall despite record-breaking run

By Marissa Reiss, Reveille Sports Reporter

April 7, 2026

LSU track and field senior sprinter Myles Thomas runs the 100-meter dash during LSU’s Opener Invitational on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Bernie Moore Track Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.

LSU track and field started its 2026 outdoor season with impressive rankings in the second round after a competitive and record-breaking winter indoor season.

The Tigers have built their way up to the top of the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association rankings early in the season, significantly improving from the first round of rankings.

The most notable in the rankings is the LSU men’s team, ranked No. 1 in the nation with a score of 281.61 points. This score marks a huge gap of 33.44 points ahead of the second-place team, which is No. 2 Texas at 248.27.

Behind the top-two LSU and Texas teams are multiple other SEC opponents in the top 25: No. 3 Texas A&M, No. 6 Ole Miss, No. 7 Florida, No. 9 Georgia, No. 12 Alabama, No. 14 Auburn, No. 23 Tennessee and No. 25 Kentucky.

Multiple Tigers put up personal best race times and distances throughout their most recent meet, the Battle of the Bayou, hosted at home.

For the men, the 4×400-meter dash, consisting of Amal Glasgow, Shakeem McKay, Grant Buckmiller and Gregory Prince, ran a time of 3:01.43 to win the event. Senior Jordan Turner kick-started the Tigers on the field, jumping 7.95 meters in the long jump to win the first day and hold the best long jump distance in the nation.

The LSU women recently dropped four spots in the rankings, now ranked No. 7 among all collegiate track and field teams with a score of 229.68.

There are four SEC opponents that rank ahead of the women in the polls: No. 1 Texas, No. 2 Georgia, No. 5 Florida and No. 6 Texas A&M. Texas leads the collegiate outdoor season so far with a score of 270.41.

For the LSU women, senior Ella Onojuvwevwo continues to make history. In the most recent meet, Onojuvwevwo clocked a 49.59-second 400-meter dash, making her the first Tiger to go under 50 seconds in both indoor and outdoor seasons. She was named the SEC Women’s Runner of the Week following the performance.

In addition, 5000-meter dash duo Edna Chepkemoi and Abigael Chemnagei moved up in LSU performance history to start the outdoor season.

In the event, Chepkemoi closed out the Battle of the Bayou with a personal best of 15:54.02 to win and become the second Tiger to go below 16 minutes in the outdoor race. Chemnagei took second place behind her with a personal record of 15:54.63.

The Tigers continue their outdoor season on Friday at the Baylor Invitational in Waco, Texas, with the meet beginning at 10 a.m.

About the Contributors

Marissa Reiss, Reveille Sports Reporter

Softball/Beach Volleyball reporter

Why did you join the Reveille?

Transitioning into my sophomore year, I knew I wanted to get involved with LSU’s student media opportunities and came across the sports reporter application for the Reveille. The idea of working in a newsroom to combine my passion for journalism and sports was something that excited me, but would also push me outside of my comfort zone.

What do you hope to do after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to go back to my home state of Maryland and hope to one day join the Baltimore Orioles organization as a social media director or color commentator.

Evan Touchet, Reveille Photographer

Why did you join the Reveille?

I felt that I could grow and learn in every type of photography here!

What do you hope to do after graduation?

I hope to own a photography business and move to New York City to be a high fashion and event photographer!