By Chris Macaluso
LSUsports.net
The LSU Women’s Track and Field Program has long been a breeding ground for World-Class hurdlers. A string of NCAA domination for Lady Tiger hurdlers began with 16-time All-American Schowonda Williams in 1985 and has included 12-time All-American Astia Walker, 10-time All-American Cinnamon Sheffield, eight-time All-Americans Debbie Ann Parris and Tananjalyn Stanley, seven-time All-Americans Dawn Bowles and Kim Carson and five-time All-American Joyce Bates.
This season, a newcomer hopes to add her name to that list as soon as possible. Lady Tiger freshman Lolo Jones has raced to two wins in the 60-meter hurdles in the first two meets of the season. She has also recorded an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 8.39 seconds in last weekend’s LSU Invitational, the second fastest time in the Southeastern Conference this season.
Lady Tiger hurdles and sprints coach Dennis Shaver said Jones’ quick start has surprised him a bit, despite his belief she possesses the kind of work ethic needed to succeed at the collegiate level.
“All of our sprinters and hurdlers got out there and worked really hard during the fall,” Shaver said. “For her (Jones) to come out and perform at the level she’s at is a very good sign for her and our entire team.”
Shaver said he has a lot of young athletes to work with, who along with Jones should become the backbone of another strong team of hurdlers and sprinters. Senior All-American sprinter April Sams anchors a group that includes six freshmen in addition to Jones. They must try to fill the gap left when last year’s NCAA 100-meter champion Joyce Bates graduated. LSU has had three of the last five NCAA women’s 100-meter hurdle titlists.
“We have a blend of upper classmen freshmen and a junior college transfer in there and its a nice blend,” Shaver said. “The older runners have spent a lot of time with the freshmen trying to get them mentally and physically prepared.”
Jones said her mental preparation for college competition began in her hometown of Des Moins, Iowa where she holds the state record of 13.4 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles. She graduated from the same high school as Carson, who Jones said is revered as one of the greatest athletes in the state’s history. According to Jones, Carson helped peak her interest in coming to Louisiana to run.
“Kim (Carson) is kind of like my mentor, ” Jones said. “She didn’t exactly tell me to come to LSU, she told me to weigh my options. LSU is known for its hurdlers and it had the best tradition of any of the schools I looked at.”
Though their careers seem to be following similar paths, Jones said she feels no pressure to live up to the standard set by Carson’s All-American performances and two NCAA titles. But, she admits, it’s nice to have someone to look up to.
“Having her around makes it easier for me,” Jones said. “I can look at her and see if I’m on the right path. Kim(Carson) had great freshman year. Looking at that gives me a goal.”
Carson eventually won the 1996 NCAA 55-meter hurdles indoor championship and 100 meter outdoors championship in her senior year and improved each year from her freshman year on. Right now, Jones said, she’s only interested in this season, her first ever indoors.
“I’m happy right now because I’ve already made NCAA provisionals,” she said. “But I’m trying to get my time even lower.” Jones will get another shot to lower her time this weekend when the Lady Tigers travel to the University of Florida to compete in the Gator Invitational. LSU has plenty of time before the NCAA Indoor Championships March 9-10 in Fayetteville, Ark. The SEC Indoor Championships are scheduled for Feb. 24-25 in Lexington, Ky.