TEMPE, Ariz. — Senior Bennie Brazell shattered the stadium record in the 400-meter hurdles and anchored the Tigers to an NCAA-leading time in the 4×100-meter relay Saturday to highlight a tremendous day of competition for the LSU track and field team at the Sun Angel Classic.
Behind the efforts of Marvin Stevenson, Richard Thompson and Kelly Willie, Brazell took the baton in the final leg of the short relay and burst across the line in 38.90. The time, a season-best for the Tigers, ranks as the eighth fastest in school history.
“We changed up the relay and moved Marvin to the first leg and he really handled it well,” said LSU head coach Dennis Shaver. “I thought we picked up some time with Kelly and then with Bennie on the last leg he just always finds a way to win.”
Less than 30 minutes later Brazell returned to the track where he clocked a blazing 48.54 seconds in winning the 400 hurdles. The time, another NCAA-leading mark, is his best time as a collegian, only bettering it at last year’s Olympic trials.
Willie also made an impressive return trip to the track, winning the men’s 400-meter title. The 11-time All-American clocked a sizzling 44.97 in his open quarter debut. The time is also his fastest as a collegiate competitor.
“We knew this would be a great place for Kelly to do well,” said Shaver. “We have a great respect for the Arizona State runners, three of them in the race were NCAA finalists last year. Kelly came out, ran well and was able to hold on and win the race.”
Also taking home gold on the track was sophomore Tanya Osbourne. Osbourne won the women’s 800 meters with a season best and regional qualifying time of 2:08.93. Just off her pace was fellow Lady Tiger Meisue Francis who also qualified for the regional championships en route to earning runner-up honors with a personal best effort of 2:09.13.
Other top performances on the track included a season-best showing of 53.19 by freshman Deonna Lawrence in the 400 meters. The time was good enough for a second-place finish.
Senior RaNysha LeBlanc also earned runner-up honors, recording a time of 13.47 in the 100-meter hurdles.
Matching that effort on the men’s side was multi-event athlete Alleyne Lett. Lett was just off his season-best pace, placing second in the 110-meter hurdles in 13.94.
Highlighting field event action was freshman Andrea Linton. Linton secured a second-place finish in the women’s triple, establishing a new PR for the second straight week with her leap of 41-1 1/2.
“Andrea has made some big improvements,” said Shaver. “What she has been able to do in such a short amount of time is very promising.”
In the throwing events, freshman Rabun Fox and senior Matt Vincent also posted personal best efforts. Fox launched the hammer 180-1 in recording the eight-best distance in Tiger school history. Vincent finished third in the discus with a regional qualifying and season-best throw of 175-4.
The LSU track and field team returns to action next Saturday when it hosts its final home meet of the regular season, the LSU Alumni Gold, at Bernie Moore Track Stadium.