SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Lady Tigers Cynetheia Rooks and Tanya Osbourne picked the right time to turn in personal-best performances as they each posted impressive NCAA provisional qualifying times to lead the LSU track and field team at the Notre Dame-hosted Alex Wilson Invitational Saturday afternoon.
Rooks won the women’s 400 meter title, finishing the race in 53.24 seconds. The time, the ninth fastest in Lady Tiger history, ranks her ninth on the NCAA’s descending order list pending the outcome of other last chance meets held around the country.
Osbourne also moved up to ninth on the descending order list in the 800 meters, winning the meet title with a career-best effort of 2:06.02. The time ranks as the fourth fastest in school history.
Junior Meisue Francis placed fourth in that same race, finishing with a personal-best effort of 2:07.27.
For the Tigers, senior Patrick Gavin turned in an NCAA provisional time of 4:03.92 in the mile but was just shy of improving on his season best of 4:02.73.
Others just missing their seasonal bests included juniors Isa Phillips and Austin Benton in the 800 meters (1:51.45) and 400 meters (47.43), respectively.
Both the Tigers and Lady Tigers return to action next week when they close out the indoor season at the NCAA Championships in Fayetteville, Ark., March 10-11.