Fayetteville, Ark. – Terrance Laird ran a world leading 20.43 in the 200 meters, and Abby O’Donoghue set the school record in the high jump with a clearance 6′ 2.75″ (1.89 meters) to close out the Tyson Invitational at the Randal Tyson Track Center for the LSU track and field team.
Some of the Tigers best performances on day two of the Tyson Invitational were in the 200 meter dash as four runners set a personal best in the event, including the top time in the world by Laird. Terrance Laird was able to secure a title for the men’s team as well as gain the world lead with his impressive time of 20.43. Laird improved upon his already NCAA top ten time in the 200 meters with the best time in the country as well as the second-best time in school history. On the women’s side, freshman Thelma Davies set the second fastest time in the world and the NCAA this season as she finished with an outstanding time of 22.80 to win the event. Davies’ time also ranks as the third best time in LSU program history. It is the third straight meet where the freshman has improved upon her time in the 200 meter competition. Laird and Davies weren’t the only runners to set a PR in the 200 meter dash as two other runners did so on Saturday. Symone Mason (23.39) and Akanni Hislop (20.82) set a new PR and placed third and fourth, respectively.
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?? LSU No. 2#GeauxTigers pic.twitter.com/gQXgnIbaAz— LSU Track & Field (@LSUTrackField) February 15, 2020
?? 22.80
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?? NCAA No. 2
?? LSU No. 3#GeauxTigers pic.twitter.com/R04i27OScg— LSU Track & Field (@LSUTrackField) February 15, 2020
LSU also had a lot of success in the high jump competition as all three participants registered a personal best or matched their personal best. Abby O’Donoghue claimed gold and improved upon her LSU record clearance of 6′ 2″ (1.88 meters) with a new best mark of 6′ 2.25″ (1.89 meters). O’Donoghue’s performance ranks as the second highest jump in the NCAA this season. It’s the fourth time this season that the standout junior has registered a clearance above six feet. JuVaughn Harrison tied his own personal best mark of 7′ 5.75″ (2.28 meters) in the men’s high jump to take home the title. The two-time member of the Bowerman Watchlist won his second high jump competition of the season. Freshman Nyagoa Bayak cleared 5′ 11.50″ (1.82 meters) which ranks as sixth best mark in both the NCAA and LSU school history.
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6′ 2.75″ | @_abigailreese_ pic.twitter.com/J5o476x5Rw
— LSU Track & Field (@LSUTrackField) February 15, 2020
Both Kyndal McKnight and Christian Miller represented the Tigers well in the triple jump competition on Saturday afternoon. McKnight made her 2020 indoor season debut on Saturday and made an immediate impact. She placed second with a personal best leap of 42′ 2.75″ (12.91 meters). Christian Miller registered a jump of 51′ 7.25″ (15.73 meters) to place sixth in the men’s triple jump invitational.
The women’s squad wrapped up the Tyson Invitational with a victory in the 4×400 relay with a time of 3:32.87. The winning relay team consisted of Amber Anning, Kiya Oviosun, Brittley Humphrey, and Symone Mason. The time of 3:32.87 ranks No. 4 in the NCAA.
Iowa State Classic
While the majority of the team made the trip to Fayetteville, Ark. for the Tyson Invitational, Katy-Ann McDonald travelled to Ames, Iowa to compete in the 800 meter run at the Iowa State Classic. The trip was well worth it for McDonald as she registered a PR of 2:04.59 and was the top collegiate finisher, second overall. The time of 2:04.59 ranks No. 9 in LSU history.
David Hemery Valentine Invitational
In Boston, Davis Bove ran a personal best in the mile with a readout of 4:03.97 to take 28th in a field that featured over 330 runners. The time of 4:03.97 is the seventh fastest in LSU history.
Up Next
The Tigers will host the LSU Twilight on Feb. 21 at Carl Maddox Fieldhouse. It will be the final regular season meet of the indoor season.