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O’Donoghue, Men’s 4x4 Register NCAA Leads; Laird, Gunnarsson, Thomas and Hardy Win Event Titles

by Aaron Hyder | Assistant Communications Director
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O’Donoghue, Men’s 4x4 Register NCAA Leads; Laird, Gunnarsson, Thomas and Hardy Win Event Titles

Baton Rouge, La. –  LSU track and field took collected six event titles at the Wooo Pig Classic that was hosted at the Randal Tyson Track Center on Friday afternoon. Abby O’Donoghue (high jump), Terrance Laird (200 meters), Damion Thomas (60 meter hurdles), Lisa Gunnarsson (pole vault), and Monique Hardy (weight throw) were the winners of the day. The men’s 4×400 meter relay closed out the meet with an NCAA leading time of 3:06.64.

Final Results

O’Donoghue was the first Tiger of the day to win an event as she matched her own LSU school record in the high jump with a clearance of 1.89 meters (6′ 2.25″). The clearance shot her to the top of the NCAA leaderboard and it ranks as the sixth best in the world for 2021. O’Donoghue attempted a height of 1.91 meters (6′ 3.25″), but was unable to clear that bar in three tries.


Senior Terrance Laird opened up his 2021 campaign with a smooth time of 20.61 in the 200 meters to win the event title. His time ranks No. 2 in the NCAA and the world. The men’s 4×400 meter relay was made up of Noah Williams, Dorian Camel, Charles Lewis and Sean Burrell; the foursome combined to clock a time of 3:06.64 to claim the NCAA lead in the event. It was the LSU debut for Williams (leadoff leg) and Burrell (anchor leg).



Monique Hardy continued her rise in the LSU record book only two meets into her freshman season. The Webster, N.Y., native launched her sixth and final throw of the day 69′ 6″ (21.18 meters) to claim gold and move into the No. 2 spot on the all-time LSU list; it’s also the third best throw in the NCAA this year. Sophomore Emma Robbins collected a PR in the event as well with a throw of 64′ 1.75″ (19.55 meters) to earn a third-place finish and rank No. 5 in the LSU record book.


Damion Thomas showed fine form in his second meet of the season with a victory in the 60 meter hurdles with a season best time of 7.71; the mark is No. 2 in the NCAA and tied for fourth in the current world rankings. Gunnarsson cleared a height of 14′ 9″ (4.50 meters) for her second win of the season; she still holds the NCAA lead with a clearance of 14′ 10″ from last weekend.


Jon Nerdal and Jake Norris had solid showings in the men’s weight throw as they both collected season bests. Nerdal took second with a throw of 69′ 0.50″ (21.04 meters) and Norris placed third with a mark of 68′ 1.50″ (20.76 meters). The mark by Nerdal is the seventh best in LSU history and ranks No. 7 in the NCAA this year.

LSU had two men PR in the men’s mile. Davis Bove nearly cracked the four minute barrier as he ran a time of 4:00.20 to place second overall; that mark is the third best in LSU history and No. 2 in the NCAA this year. Eric Coston had nearly a 10 second PR with a time of 4:09.09 in the mile. Jackson Martingayle collected a PR of 8:28.35 in the men’s 3,000 meter run as well.

Kyndal McKnight took third in the women’s triple jump with a mark of 42′ 5.25″ (12.93 meters); that mark was a personal best and ranks No. 8 in the NCAA this year. Kenny Odinet also registered a personal best in the pole vault with a clearance of 16′ 6.75″ (5.05 meters).

Up Next

LSU will host the Louisiana Invitational on Friday (January 29) at the Carl Maddox Fieldhouse. Fans will not be allowed due to COVID-19 protocols.