PHILADELPHIA — The LSU track and field team battled unusually cold and rainy conditions in Philadelphia as the 108th Penn Relays Carnival got underway at Franklin Field on Thursday.
The Lady Tigers national-leading 4×100-meter relay team performed well despite the less than ideal conditions and advanced to Friday’s final in the event.
Bianca Rockett, Lolo Jones, Stephanie Durst and Muna Lee got the stick around in 45.12 seconds, easily winning their heat. The time was the second fastest of the day overall, as South Carolina set up a showdown in Friday’s final by posting the top time of the day with a time of 44.86.
“They ran very well for the type of weather we got today,” said LSU head coach Pat Henry. “It’s supposed to clear up and be a little warmer in the next couple of days which is good because a bulk of our competition will be on Friday and Saturday. I don’t think anybody ran particularly fast today because of the conditions, but it won’t make a bit of difference once these teams line up against each other in the final, it’ll be a very competitive field.”
The Lady Tigers finished third in their section of the 4×400-meter relay and did not qualify for Saturday’s final in the event. The group of Doria Appleberry, Marian Burnett, Keioke Lutcher and Ronetta Smith ran a time of 3:42.87 but just missed qualifying for the final.
North Carolina grabbed the lead from the onset and never relinquished it, as they won the heat with ease. Ronetta Smith pulled the Lady Tigers from third into second but expended too much energy getting LSU back into the race and faded over the final 50 meters, as did their chances to advance.
In the field Nicole Toney finished second in the long jump with a mark of 19 feet 2 3/4 inches, as no one reached the 20-foot barrier due to the cold and rainy conditions. Andria Booker finished sixth with a mark of 18-9 1/4.
In the throws, Candice Gonzalez finished fifth in the women’s hammer with a throw of 185-0, while Mallory McDonald placed seventh with a mark of 173-10.
The Penn Relays continue through Saturday with several key events on tap for Friday. The women’s 4×100-meter relay final will be contested, while the Lady Tigers will also field a strong team in the shuttle hurdle relay.
On the men’s side, Walter Davis will attempt to defend his long jump title, while the Tigers’ 4×400-meter relay will run in preliminary action.