Track & Field Captures Five Titles at SEC Indoors

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The 2009 SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships wrapped up Sunday afternoon as the Lady Tigers took second place and the Tigers finished in sixth place at the three-day meet held at the Nutter Field House on the campus of the University of Kentucky.

The ninth-ranked Lady Tigers were unable to defend the team title they won a year ago, but piled up 105 points over the course of three days of competition to earn a runner-up finish to Tennessee as the second-ranked Lady Volunteers won this year’s SEC crown with 111 points.

The second-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks ran away with the team championship on the men’s side with a total of 130 points. The Florida Gators were this year’s runner-up with 102 points followed by Tennessee in third with 78 points, South Carolina and Auburn in a tie for fourth with 65 points and the Tigers in sixth place with 64 points.

“I thought our women had an outstanding meet this weekend at the SEC Indoor Championships,” said LSU head coach Dennis Shaver. “They came to this meet and put themselves in a position to compete for the team title going into the very last event of the track meet. You can’t ask for much more than that kind of effort in the championship meets.

“We also accomplished a few things that have put us in a better position to compete at the NCAA Championships in two weeks. All in all, I don’t think our women could have done much more.”

Junior Samantha Henry was the star for the Lady Tigers on the final day of the meet as she swept SEC sprint titles in both the 60-meter and 200-meter dashes.

Henry kicked off her afternoon by edging Tennessee’s Lynne Layne (7.22) at the tape with a time of 7.21 seconds to win the 60-meter title. The two rivals met again in the 200-meter final with the Lady Tiger standout coming out on top for a second time. Henry clocked a winning time of 23.45 in the second of two final heats, while Layne took second with a time of 23.53 in the first heat.

For a program that has a reputation of producing the nation’s best sprinters year in and year out, Henry becomes the third Lady Tiger in program history to sweep 60-meter and 200-meter titles at the SEC Indoor Championships, joining Peta-Gaye Dowdie in 2000 and Muna Lee in 2002.

While Henry captured a pair of individual SEC titles, four Lady Tigers won all-conference honors on the final day of the meet with a runner-up finish in their respective specialty events.

Junior LaTavia Thomas, the two-time defending SEC Indoor champion in the 800-meter run, was the runner-up at this year’s meet after setting a new indoor PR of 2 minutes, 4.27 seconds.

In addition, sophomore Tenaya Jones set a new personal best to take second in the 60 hurdles and fellow sophomore Brittani Carter matched her indoor personal best to finish runner-up in the high jump. Jones raced to the finish line in 8.20 in the final of the 60-meter hurdles, while Carter went over the bar at 5 feet, 11 ½ inches in the high jump during Sunday’s competition.

As LSU’s last individual competitor at the meet, senior Andrea Linton was runner-up in the triple jump with a seasonal-best NCAA provisional qualifying leap of 42-10 ¼ on her second attempt.

“From top to bottom, I thought our women did a great job of competing across all event areas at the meet,” Shaver said. “Samantha really kicked it into another gear this weekend and put herself in a position to compete for us at the NCAA Championships. We also had a number of other great performances that put us in a position to compete for the team championship.”

Sophomore standout Walter Henning continued his domination in the 35-pound weight throw by taking home his first career SEC title in his debut at the SEC Indoor Championships.

Henning put the event out of reach early in the competition when he uncorked a throw of 74 feet, 5 ½ inches on his second attempt to shatter his own LSU school record and personal best by more than one foot. He entered the meet with a previous personal record of 73-4 ¼ set on Jan. 31 at the SEC/Big 12 Challenge in College Station, Texas.

Henning continues to make history during his record-setting sophomore season as he becomes the first LSU athlete to win a conference title in the weight throw since the event was first contested at the SEC Indoor Championships during the collegiate season in 1992.

“What I’m really excited about is to come here and it be the second day of my peak cycle and get a PR by 13 inches,” Henning said. “I think that says a lot about where I am right now and what I have left for NCAAs. I feel like I have a whole lot left in the tank, and we’ve been preparing for it to happen at this time of the season. I’m happy about where I am right now, but not satisfied.

“I’m also very happy with the way we competed as a group today. To get 19 points in an event in which we don’t usually score a lot of points is big for our team.”

Like Henning, junior Trindon Holliday continues to show just why he is an NCAA championship favorite in the 60-meter dash after running away with his first career SEC title in the event.

Despite a five-minute delay with the runners waiting anxiously at the starting line, Holliday lined up in lane six and fired out of the blocks as the gun sounded. The five-time All-American was the first to cross the finish line with a winning time of 6.58 as he beat Arkansas All-American J-Mee Samuels to the tape. Samuels was runner-up with a time of 6.63.

This marks the second-straight year that an LSU athlete has won the SEC crown for the 60 meters as Tiger great Richard Thompson took home the title a year ago with a time of 6.59. Holliday was close behind in second place with an all-conference performance of 6.62.

“I felt really good, even though I didn’t have the race that I wanted to have,” Holliday said. “We had a little bit of a delay while we were waiting for the race to start, but I just tried to stay focused on what I needed to do to win the race. I’m very happy with the win. Now, I have to get back and train for two weeks and get ready to run again at NCAAs two weeks from now.”

After Holliday blistered the track en route to winning his first career SEC Indoor crown, freshman Robert Simmons followed with a win of his own in the 400-meter dash.

Simmons, competing in his first ever conference championship meet as an LSU Tiger, lined up in the second of two final heats and nipped Florida All-American Calvin Smith by the slimmest of margins. Simmons crossed the finish line with a new overall personal record and winning time of 46.22, a mere one one-hundredth of a second ahead of Smith (46.23).

Simmons’ performance is sure to earn him an at-large berth into the NCAA Championships as he is now the No. 7 performer all-time at LSU in the indoor 400 meters.

“I’m certainly proud of guys like Trindon Holliday, Walter Henning and Robert Simmons for the things they were able to do for our team at this meet,” Shaver said. “But I don’t feel like the men competed very well as a team this weekend. The fact is that we have quite a few guys that do not know how to compete at this level and to get the job done in the championship meets.

“I was very disappointed in that. I really feel like we could have come in here and scored 25 more points on the men’s side and had a nice finish. I just didn’t see that kind of competitiveness that I saw in other teams this week. That’s something we need to find within ourselves before NCAAs.”

Any LSU athlete who has not qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships will have one final opportunity to do so as the Tigers and Lady Tigers return to Baton Rouge to play host to the LSU NCAA Indoor Qualifier at the Carl Maddox Field House on Friday night. The NCAA meet is set to run from March 13-14 at the Gilliam Indoor Track Center in College Station, Texas.

SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships Results

Sunday at the Nutter Field House in Lexington, Ky. (All race distances in meters)

Men’s

60
1. Trindon Holliday, LSU, 6.58; 2. J-Mee Samuels, Arkansas, 6.63; 3. Marcus Rowland, Auburn, 6.65; 4. Rondel Sorrillo, Kentucky, 6.66; 5. Jeremy Hall, Florida, 6.69; 6. Johnathan Hancock, South Carolina, 6.70; 7. Terrell Wilks, Florida, 6.72; 8. Justin Austin, Kentucky, 6.73.

200
1. Torrin Lawrence, Georgia, 20.81; 2. Marek Niit, Arkansas, 20.90; 3. Michael Dehaven, Auburn, 20.92; 4. Marcus Rowland, Auburn, 20.97; 5. J-Mee Samuels, Arkansas, 20.98; 6. Justin Austin, Kentucky, 20.99; 7. Jose Acevedo, Kentucky, 20.99; 8. Evander Wells, Tennessee, 21.14.

400
1. Robert Simmons, LSU, 46.22; 2. Calvin Smith, Florida, 46.23; 3. Jose Acevedo, Kentucky, 46.85; 4. Obakeng Ngwigwa, South Carolina, 47.08; 5. Justin Gaymon, Georgia, 47.11; 6. R.J. Anderson, Florida, 47.21; 7. Samdi Fraser, Tennessee, 47.25; 8. Armanti Hayes, LSU, 47.44.

800
1. Alex McClary, Arkansas, 1:49.37; 2. Ross Ridgewell, Georgia, 1:50.33; 3. Joe Franklin, Tennessee, 1:50.43; 4. Carlos Phillips, Florida, 1:50.83; 5. Lamarr Davis, Florida, 1:50.92; 6. Jamaal James, LSU, 1:51.01; 7. Emerson Peacock, Tennessee, 1:51.11; 8. Ethan Philpot, Florida, 1:51.19.

Mile
1. Dorian Ulrey, Arkansas, 3:59.77; 2. Duncan Phillips, Arkansas, 4:01.30; 3. Felix Kiboiywo, Auburn, 4:03.11; 4. Michael Chinchar, Arkansas, 4:03.52; 5. Barnabas Kirui, Ole Miss, 4:07.03; 6. Justin Taylor, Florida, 4:07.78; 7. Adam Henken, Kentucky, 4:08.25; 8. Rick Elliott, Arkansas, 4:08.33.

5,000
1. Tyson David, Alabama, 13:46.19; 2. Shawn Forrest, Arkansas, 13:46.26; 3. Elkanah Kibet, Auburn, 13:49.44; 4. Girma Mecheso, Auburn, 14:00.66; 5. James Strang, Arkansas, 14:05.04; 6. Kyle Lewis, Ole Miss, 14:05.11; 7. Andrew Kirwa, Alabama, 14:06.02; 8. Abraham Kutingala, Alabama, 14:07.73.

60 hurdles
1. Jason Richardson, South Carolina, 7.72; 2. Mikel Thomas, Kentucky, 7.77; 3. Dennis Martin, Florida, 7.86; 4. William Wynne, Florida, 7.89; 5. Patrick Lee, LSU, 7.89; 6. Booker Nunley, South Carolina, 7.92; 7. Johnny Dutch, South Carolina, 7.92; 8. Kallinka Pitt, Florida, 7.93.

4x400
1. Florida, 3:05.82; 2. South Carolina, 3:06.11; 3. Kentucky, 3:06.78; 4. Georgia, 3:07.45; 5. LSU, 3:09.81; 6. Arkansas, 3:10.18; 7. Ole Miss, 3:11.17; 8. Tennessee, 3:11.19.

DMR
1. Arkansas, 9:47.31; 2. Alabama, 9:47.66; 3. Auburn, 9:49.34; 4. Florida, 9:52.81; 5. Tennessee, 9:54.82; 6. Ole Miss, 10:05.11; 7. Kentucky, 10:08.30; 8. Georgia, 10:08.34.

Pole Vault
1. Joe Berry, Tennessee, 17-3; 2. Brad Holtz, Tennessee, 17-3; 3. Marvin Reitze, South Carolina, 17-0; 4. Michael Ayers, Tennessee, 17-0; 5. Josh Dominguez, LSU, 16-8 ¾; 6. Marcus McGehee, LSU, 16-4 ¾; 7. Justin Semeyn, Florida, 16-4 ¾; 8. Kevin Brinkley, South Carolina, 16-4 ¾.

Triple Jump
1. Christian Taylor, Florida, 52-10 ¼; 2. Nkosinza Balumbu, Arkansas, 52-1 ¼; 3. Tarek Batchelor, Arkansas, 50-2 ¾; 4. Akeem Hardnett, Tennessee, 49-11 ¾; 5. David Banks, Kentucky, 49-8 ¼; 6. Caleb Lee, Ole Miss, 49-7 ¾; 7. Wale Odetunde, Ole Miss, 49-3 ½; 8. Asaph Levy, Georgia, 48-10 ¼.

Weight Throw
1. Walter Henning, LSU, 74-5 ½; 2. Mike Zajac, South Carolina, 68-1 ½; 3. John Freeman, Georgia, 66-4 ½; 4. Michael Lauro, LSU, 64-3 ¼; 5. Rabun Fox, LSU, 64-1; 6. Rashaud Scott, Kentucky, 63-11 ¾; 7. Richard Wooten, Tennessee, 62-10 ¾; 8. Branislav Danis, Georgia, 62-8.

TEAM STANDINGS (17 events scored)
1. Arkansas, 130; 2. Florida, 102; 3. Tennessee, 78; T4. South Carolina, 65; T4. Auburn, 65; 6. LSU, 64; 7. Kentucky, 48; 8. Georgia, 47; 9. Alabama, 35; 10. Ole Miss, 29.

Women’s

60
1. Samantha Henry, LSU, 7.21; 2. Lynne Layne, Tennessee, 7.22; 3. Kya Brookins, South Carolina, 7.24; 4. Joanna Atkins, Auburn, 7.28; 5. Alishea Usery, Florida, 7.33; 6. Shayla Mahan, South Carolina, 7.35; 7. Gabby Glenn, South Carolina, 7.47; 8. Kristina Davis, LSU, 7.53.

200
1. Samantha Henry, LSU, 23.45; 2. Lynne Layne, Tennessee, 23.53; 3. Alishea Usery, Florida, 23.79; 4. Kenyanna Wilson, LSU, 23.85; 5. Nivea Smith, Auburn, 23.92; 6. Cache Armbrister, Auburn, 23.93; 7. Whitney Jones, Arkansas, 24.03; 8. Cassandra Tate, LSU, 24.04.

400
1. Joanna Atkins, Auburn, 52.61; 2. LaJada Baldwin, Ole Miss, 52.98; 3. Nadonnia Rodriques, South Carolina, 53.41; 4. Shelise Williams, Arkansas, 53.52; 5. Brandi Cross, South Carolina, 53.99; 6. Lakeisha Williams, Auburn, 54.52; 7. Porche Byrd, South Carolina, 54.58; 8. Breehana Jacobs, South Carolina, 55.14.

800
1. Phoebe Wright, Tennessee, 2:02.39; 2. LaTavia Thomas, LSU, 2:04.27; 3. Sofie Persson, Ole Miss, 2:05.38; 4. Brittany Hall, LSU, 2:05.70; 5. Kayann Thompson, LSU, 2:05.88; 6. Chanelle Price, Tennessee, 2:07.94; 7. Janine Davis, Arkansas, 2:09.30; 8. Britney Barnard, Ole Miss, 2:13.87.

Mile
1. Sarah Bowman, Tennessee, 4:41.35; 2. Charlotte Browning, Florida, 4:45.56; 3. Rolanda Bell, Tennessee, 4:46.18; 4. Genevieve LaCaze, Florida, 4:46.98; 5. Danielle Barnes, South Carolina, 4:47.19; 6. Jillian Rosen, Arkansas, 4:47.46; 7. Jessica Ortman, Kentucky, 4:50.07; 8. Kristie Krueger, Georgia, 4:54.33.

5,000
1. Christine Kalmer, Arkansas, 16:20.06; 2. Denise Bargiachi, Arkansas, 16:23.90; 3. Catherine White, Arkansas, 16:38.07; 4. Sarah Madebach, Georgia, 16:46.81; 5. Laurel Pritchard, Auburn, 16:47.82; 6. Katie Van Horn, Tennessee, 16:57.09; 7. Sara Petrick, Florida, 16:59.77; 8. Laura Garrow, Florida, 17:04.54.

60 hurdles
1. Celriece Law, Tennessee, 8.16; 2. Tenaya Jones, LSU, 8.20; 3. Ronnetta Alexander, South Carolina, 8.20; 4. Kimberely Laing, Alabama, 8.36; 5. Marrissa Harris, Mississippi State, 8.41; 6. Janica Austin, South Carolina, 8.43; 7. Danielle Gilchrist, Auburn, 8.52; 8. Nicole Okolo, Alabama, 8.55.

4x400
1. South Carolina, 3:33.50; 2. Arkansas, 3:35.18; 3. Auburn, 3:35.50; 4. LSU, 3:37.50; 5. Tennessee, 3:39.57; 6. Ole Miss, 3:41.22; 7. Kentucky, 3:42.75; 8. Florida, 3:43.86.

DMR
1. Tennessee, 11:23.43; 2. Arkansas, 11:37.70; 3. Georgia, 11:39.70; 4. Vanderbilt, 11:40.50; 5. Florida, 11:46.57; 6. Mississippi State, 11:52.57; 7. Kentucky, 11:53.22; 8. South Carolina, 11:53.75.

High Jump
1. Raevan Harris, Auburn, 6-0 ¾; 2. Brittani Carter, LSU, 5-11 ½; 3. Chealsea Taylor, Alabama, 5-9 ¼; 4. Kayla Blake, South Carolina, 5-7 ¼; 5. Chelsea Thomas, Auburn, 5-5 ¼; 6. Rachel Robbs, Alabama, 5-5 ¼; T7. Ashley Newby, Kentucky, 5-5 ¼; T7. Staley Foster, South Carolina, 5-5 ¼.

Triple Jump
1. Shara Proctor, Florida, 43-8; 2. Andrea Linton, LSU, 42-10 ¼; 3. Celriece Law, Tennessee, 41-4 ¼; 4. Madara Apine, Florida, 40-9; 5. Michelle Jenije, Florida, 40-3 ¼; 6. Ke’Undra Bishop, Kentucky, 39-11 ½; 7. Wendy Copeland, Mississippi State, 39-7; 8. Aria Gaines, Ole Miss, 39-1 ¼.

Shot Put
1. Miriam Kevkhishvili, Florida, 58-10 ¼; 2. Annie Alexander, Tennessee, 54-5 ½; 3. Keely Medieros, Florida, 52-8 ¾; 4. Jennifer Svoboda, Kentucky, 50-11; 5. Emilee Strot, Kentucky, 50-3 ¼; 6. Davina Orieukwu, Ole Miss, 49-5 ½; 7. Mary Angell, Kentucky, 48-10; 8. Angelica Howard, Alabama, 48-3 ¼.

TEAM STANDINGS (17 events scored)
1. Tennessee, 111; 2. LSU, 105; 3. Arkansas, 97; 4. Florida, 84; 5. South Carolina, 57; 6. Auburn, 54; 7. Kentucky, 49.5; 8. Ole Miss, 32; 9. Mississippi State, 28; 10. Alabama, 26.5; 11. Georgia, 14; 12. Vanderbilt, 5.