BATON ROUGE — In keeping with tradition, the 27-time national champion LSU track and field team has signed yet another impressive recruiting class, inking seven outstanding athletes from throughout the country and Grenada head coach Pat Henry and staff announced Friday.
“We signed some very good, young, talented athletes as well as two proven junior college athletes,” said Henry. “We are pleased with the early signing period and are excited about the athlete’s future here at LSU.”
Of the five women and two men signed to national letters of intent, all but one plan on joining LSU for the 2004-05 track and field season. Tanya Osbourne, the lone signee that is scheduled to enroll at LSU in January 2004 is expected to contribute to the Lady Tiger squad this season.
A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Osbourne comes to Baton Rouge from Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School where she has excelled in the 400, 600 and 800-meter events as a prep. Osbourne, who owns PRs of 54.99 in the 400 meters and 2:13.88 in the 800 meters, was the New York City High School champion in both events during the 2002 season.
Also signing with the Lady Tigers is Houston, Texas, native Jessica Ohanaja. Ohanaja hails from Westbury High School, the same school that produced current LSU sprinter Stephanie Durst and hurdler Bennie Brazell. A 2003 all-state selection, Ohanaja is currently ranked third in the nation in the 100-meter hurdles with a PR of 13.74. She also owns top times of 8.53 in the 60-meter hurdles and 7.49 in the 60-meter dash.
Another native of Houston, Texas signing with the Lady Tigers is Brooklynn Morris. Morris, a product of Eisenhower High School, comes to LSU ranked among the top-10 in the country in the 400 meters after running a personal best time of 54.80 at the Texas state meet. An athlete with excellent range, Morris is expected to run the 200 and 400 at LSU.
Another promising 400 meter runner signing with the Lady Tigers is Sade Nero of Miami, Fla. Nero is ranked ninth nationally in the 400 meters with a personal best time of 54.90. A third-team All-Dade County selection by the Miami Herald, Nero finished 11th in the 400 meters at the 2003 USA Junior Nationals.
Leading the pack of Lady Tiger quartermile recruits is Elk Grove, Calif., native Deonna Lawrence. One of the top 400 meter runners to ever sign with the Lady Tigers, Lawrence is currently ranked third in the nation in the event. She placed fifth in the 400 meters at the USA Junior Nationals and owns top times of 52.77 in the 400 meters and 23.93 in the 200 meters.
On the men’s side, LSU landed two prize recruits in Alleyne Lett and Jeffrey Wysynski.
Lett was recruited to LSU as a decathlete after posting impressive results in the discus and the 110-meter hurdles at Central Arizona College. A native of St. David’s, Grenada, Lett finished second in the discus at the 2003 Central American and Caribbean Championships and third in the hurdles at the NJCAA Championships (13.98).
Wysynski, a sophomore at South Plains Junior College, is the reigning NJCAA pole vault champion after clearing 17-3 at the national meet as a freshman.
LSU begins the 2004 season Jan. 16 at the Arkansas Invitational in Fayetteville.