EDMONTON, ALBERTA, Canada — LSU’s Walter Davis made a tremendous statement Saturday evening, breaking the 9-year-old LSU school record in the triple jump while winning his section in the event at the IAAF World Championships at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Davis, who finished 12th at last year’s Sydney Olympics, came up with a personal best effort of 56 feet 6 inches to win the first qualifying section. World record-holder Jonathan Edwards of Great Britain won the second section, posting the top mark of the day with an effort just over 57-feet.
The mark posted by Davis broke the previous record of 56-2 set by Reggie Jones in 1992. Jumpers will have tomorrow off before contesting the final on Monday evening.
NCAA runner-up Alleyne Francique of LSU looked sharp in preliminary action of the 400-meter dash Saturday, winning his heat to advance to Sunday’s semifinals.
Francique won in a conservative time of 45.66 but by virtue of his victory in the heat, drew a favorable lane three assignment for Sunday’s semi. Francique will face familiar competition in his semi, as two lanes over will be 2001 SEC and NCAA champion Avard Moncur of Auburn, his primary nemesis.
Moncur, considered by some the favorite to win the gold in Edmonton, ran the fastest qualifying time on the day, winning his heat in a time of 44.88. In between the two will be 1991 world champion Antonio Pettigrew of the United States.
The top two in each semifinal will advance, as well as the next two fastest times.
Three-time SEC decathlon champion Claston Bernard of Jamaica begins his quest Sunday morning. Bernard, preparing for his senior season at LSU, will be competing in the decathlon for the first time since a hamstring led to his disqualification at the NCAA Outdoor Championships just over two months ago.
A pair of former Lady Tiger greats will be in action on Sunday morning, as 1997 NCAA Outdoor short hurdles champion Astia Walker will compete for Jamaica in the 100-meter dash.
Two-time NCAA 400-meter hurdles champion Debbie Parris, also of Jamaica, opens up with heats of the intermediate hurdles as well. Parris, a fourth place finisher in the event at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, enters on a tear and is ranked second in the world in the IAAF Grand Prix standings.