NEW YORK — LSU’s track and field team turned in a solid opening day performance at Armory Invitational in New York City Friday, qualifying several athletes in tomorrow’s finals at the New Balance Track and Field Center.
“We are happy with the preliminary performances, and that they have another opportunity to run,” said LSU head coach Dennis Shaver. “As young as we are now just having the opportunity to get another race in at a meet of this caliber just is really important.”
Lady Tiger senior RaNysha LeBlanc moved on to the finals in the 60-meter hurdles at Madison Square Gardens with a seasonal best and provisional qualifying time of 8.322. Freshman Jessica Ohanaja also advanced to finals in the event, winning her heat in 8.614.
Fellow freshman Kelly Baptiste, Brooklyn Morris and Ashley Owens each advanced to the finals in the 60-meter dash. Baptiste won her qualifying round heat in 7.504, while Morris (7.549) and Owens (7.615) also moved on.
For the men, Alleyne Lett qualified for the finals of the men’s 60-meter hurdles tonight at Madison Square Gardens with a time of 7.96. Chris Jackson advanced to the consolation finals Saturday with a time of 8.09.
“While it wasn’t a great race for Alleyne; he gets a chance to run tonight in maybe a bigger forum,” said Shaver. “It should be exciting for him and RaNysha both. I thought that they are the two that are the most on top of their game.”
In the 400 meters, senior Hazelann Regis advanced to the women’s finals, winning her heat with a time of 55.856. Regis’ finished second only to Natasha Hastings of South Carolina who posted a time of 53.054.
Marvin Stevenson and Pete Coley qualified for the finals in the men’s race. Stevenson won his heat with a seasonal best time of 47.55, while Coley won his heat with a time of 47.60.
Sophomore Tina Harris highlighted the field events for the LSU squad. She won the women’s long jump title with a provisional mark of 20-9 1/4.
“With Tina, its great to see her not only just jump that far, but this time she did it in one of her first three jumps,” said Shaver. “She is going to have to do that in the major meets to get the other three jumps. She is really focusing and recognizes that she is one of the best out there, and that she just has to put it together week in and week out. That kind of consistency is important.
LSU will conclude competition in the Armory Invitational Saturday. Second-day action begins at 8 a.m. (CT).