Written for the LSWA
BATON ROUGE -- The LSU men's and women's track teams captured runnerup honors in both divisions in the 2007 NCAA Outdoor Championships and the Tigers and Lady Tigers dominated many of the special awards given by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association on its annual track and field team.
The team is listed in two parts. First the top three times in each of the major outdoor events are chosen from state schools based on the official regional qualifying list as provided by the NCAA. State track SIDs then nominated athletes for the special award categories and each category is then voted on by an LSWA panel.
On the women's side, LSU sprinter Sherry Fletcher was named the Track Athlete of the Year, with Andrea Linton of LSU the Field Athlete of the Year. The Lady Tigers LaTavia Thomas was named the Freshman of the Year, while Nickiesha Wilson was the Newcomer of the Year.
The men's special award winners were led by LSU's Trindon Holliday, the Track Athlete of the Year, with Brad Gebauer of McNeese State winning both Field Athlete of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. Chris Hill of McNeese and Jamaal James of LSU tied for Freshman of the Year.
LSU Coach Dennis Shaver was named the state Coach of the Year for both the men and women.
Fletcher became the fourth Lady Tiger all-time to be crowned national champion in the 100-meters with a personal best of 11.20 in the NCAA Outdoor finals. She also anchored the 4 x 10 meter relay team to a national runner-up finish with a season best time of 43.15.
Field star Linton earned her second career All-American honor with a fifth-place finish in the NCAA Outdoor Triple Jump. She won the event in the SEC meet with a near two-foot improvement of her personal best to 44-1 1/4.
Thomas had a strong freshman career and became the first SEC athlete to sweep the indoor and outdoor league titles in the 800 meters since 2000. She finished the 2007 season as the nation's top-ranked freshman in her event with the seventh best time in the nation of 2:04.38. She was also named SEC Women's Freshman Runner of the Year for the indoor season.
Wilson, a Kingston, Jamaica sophomore, could make a case as the nation's top newcomer on the Division I women's track and field as she earned four All-American honors. She took third in the 100-meter hurdles, second in the 400 hurdles along with running the leadoff leg on the 4 x 400 relay outdoors to go with a fifth place finish in the 60 meter hurdles indoor.
On the men's side, Holliday showed his speed with a pair of runner-up finishes in the 100 meters and 4x100 relay in the NCAA Outdoors. In the national semifinals in the 100, Holliday broke his own school record with the fourth-fastest time in the world at 10.02.
Field and Newcomer Athlete of the Year Gebauer of McNeese won the NCAA Indoor pole vault championship and set school records, completing 18-0 3/4 outdoors and 18-4 1/2 indoors.
Both of the co-freshman had strong first years as Hill of McNeese placed fifth in the NCAA javelin and set a new USA junior javelin throw record of 238-8 as he was named All-American, All-Southland Conference and All-NCAA regional.
Like his female counterpart, James of LSU earned his co-freshman honor by became the first male athlete since 2002 to sweep the indoor and outdoor SEC titles, winning the outdoor with what was then the fastest time in the NCAA at 1:47.00 in the finals. This time also broke the 33-year-old national junior record for an athlete under the age of 20 from Trinidad and Tobago.
In earning Coach honors, Shaver guided the Tigers to a second-straight national runner-up finish at the NCAA Outdoors and the Lady Tigers to their best finish in the outdoors since 2004, finishing second as well. The women also won the SEC outdoor championships since 1996. He was named the SEC Women's Coach of the Year and Coach of the Year in the Mideast Region.
-----
LSWA All-Louisiana College Track and Field Team
Men's Best Times List
100 Meters
1. Trindon Holliday, LSU, 10.02, 6/6
2. Richard Thompson, LSU, 10.23, 6/6
3. Michael Coleman, La. Tech, 10.26, 6/6
200 Meters
1. Ravyn Hayward, Northwestern State, 20.79, 4/21
2. Albert Fullwood, Louisiana Tech, 20.87, 4/20
3. Richard Thompson, LSU, 20.90, 4/14
400 Meters
1. Siraj Williams, LSU, 45.77, 6/9
2. Marvin Stevenson, LSU, 46.22, 4/21
3. Melville Rogers, LSU, 46.40, 5/12
800 Meters
1. Jamaal James, LSU, 1:47.00, 5/13
2. Reuben Twijukye, LSU, 1:47.11, 5/13
3. Andrew Opata, Louisiana-Monroe, 1:51.43, 4/21
1500 Meters
1. Jeffrey Parker, LSU, 3:48.52, 4/21
2. Maya Aden, Louisiana-Monroe, 3:51.53, 3/7
3. Michael Hendry, LSU, 3:53.00, 4/21
3000 Meter Steeplechase
1. Kalphys Kemboi, Southeastern Louisiana, 9:01.13, 5/5
2 Maya Aden, Louisiana Monroe, 9:03.00, 5/12
3 Kerone Fairweather, Grambling St., 9:46.65, 4/22
5000 Meter Run
1. Joseph Simuchimba, LSU, 14:19.96, 5/10-13
2. Kalphys Kemboi, Southeastern Louisiana, 14:30.73, 4/21
3. Maya Aden, Louisiana-Monroe, 14:55.38, 4/21
10000 Meter Run
1. Joseph Simuchimba, LSU, 29:39.83, 4/26-28
2. Alan Foolkes, McNeese State, 31:06.99, 4/14
3. Drew Haro, LSU, 31:12.04, 4/26-28
110 Meter Hurdles
1. Alleyne Lee, LSU, 13.52, 6/6
2. Ryan Fontenot, LSU, 13.87, 5/25-26
3. John Kent, La. Tech, 14.07, 4/20
400 Meter Hurdles
1. Isa Phillips, LSU, 48.51, 6/9
2. Edmund Graham, Grambling State, 52.01, 3/24
3. Adlus Wiltz, Southeastern Louisiana, 52.23, 5/6
4 X 100 Meter Relay
1. LSU (Jeremy Hicks, Richard Thompson, Marvin Stevenson, Trindon Holliday) 38.85, 6/8
2. Grambling State (Rickey Thomas, Keantown Gray, Kory Cook, Edmund Graham), 39.98, 5/25-26
3. Northwestern St. (Jordan Patton, Jamael Jackson, Nathaniel Brown, Ravyn Hayward) 40.18, 5/6
4 X 400 Meter Relay
1. LSU (Siraj Williams, Isa Phillips, Armanti Hayes, Melville Rogers), 3:02.97, 6/9
2. La. Tech (Mark Dillard, Michael Coleman, Sheldon Williams, Albert Fullwood) 3:08.58, 5/25-26
3. Louisiana-Monroe (Malcom Bosworth, Kendrick Shepherd, Andrew Opata, Mychal Word) 3:09.17, 4/28
High Jump
1. Babatunde Babalola, Southeastern Louisiana, 7-0 1/4, 3/23
2. Corey Billizone, Southeastern Louisiana, 6-10 3/4, 3/17
2. Jayson House, Souther, 6-10 3/4, 6/6
Pole Vault
1. Brad Gebauer, McNeese State, 18-1, 4/14
2. Josh Dominguez, LSU, 17-0, 3/4, 3/24
3. Johnny Ellis, Southeastern Louisiana, 16-6 3/4, 5/6
Long Jump
1. Jeremy Hicks, LSU, 25-2 3/4, 4/21
2. Will Coppage, LSU, 24-11 1/4, 5/12
3. Marcus Brown, McNeese State, 24-9 1/4, 3/7
Triple Jump
1. Matt Craig, Louisiana Tech, 51-8 1/2, 5/12
2. Reggie Haslom, LSU, 50-11 1/2, 3/24
3. Herbert Harris, Grambling State, 48-4 3/4, 4/22
Shot Put
1. Walt Williams, Louisiana-Monroe, 56-7 1/2, 4/28
2. Jon Jamail, McNeese State, 55-8 1/4, 4/14
3. Jan Bicanic, McNeese State, 55-6 1/4, 5/5
Discus Throw
1. Walt Williams, Louisiana-Monroe, 178-10, 3/28
2. Tremaine White, Southeastern Louisiana, 176-0, 5/25-26
3. Reuben Stephens, Southeastern Louisiana, 173-9, 4/14
Hammer Throw
1. Freddie Hannie, McNeese State, 178-9, 5/4
2. Dwight Womack, Southeastern Louisiana, 173-0, 4/21
3. John Jamail, McNeese State, 167-6, 5/4
Javelin Throw
1. Chad Radgowski, LSU, 239-8, 5/12
2. Chris Hill, McNeese State, 238-10, 6/6
3. Cody Fillinich, Northwestern State, 237-1
Decathlon
1. Jon Fagan, McNeese State, 7,136, 4/7
2. Cory Roberts, Southeastern Louisiana, 7,068, 5/5
3. Cote Ryland, Southeastern Louisiana, 6,211, 3/31
Special Award Winners
Track Athlete of the Year -- Trindon Holliday, LSU
Field Athlete of the Year -- Brad Gebauer, McNeese State
Freshman of the Year -- (tie) Chris Hill, McNeese State; Jamaal James, LSU
Newcomer of the Year -- Brad Gebauer, McNeese State
Coach of the Year -- Dennis Shaver, LSU
Women's Best Times List
100 Meters
1. Sherry Fletcher, LSU, 11.20, 6/8
1. Gloria Asumnu, Tulane, 11.20, 6/6
3. Kelly Ann Baptiste, LSU, 11.22, 3/24
200 Meters
1. Sherry Fletcher, LSU, 22.67, 6/9
2. Gloria Asumnu, Tulane, 22.70, 5/25-26
3. Latonia Wilson, La. Tech, 22.80
400 Meters
1. Deonna Lawrence, LSU, 52.33, 4/21
1. Cynetheia Rooks, LSU, 52.33, 5/13
3. Brooklynn Morris, LSU, 52.73, 4/21
800 Meters
1. LaTavia Thomas, LSU, 2:03.89, 4/21
2. Tanya Osbourne, LSU, 2:05.64, 5/13
3. Lindsay Day, LSU, 2:09.94, 4/21
1500 Meters
1. Katie Dawson, LSU, 4:35.24, 4/14
2. Amy Harris, Louisiana-Monroe, 4:41.32, 4/4
3. Jennifer Radecker, LSU, 4:45.86, 4/21
3000 Meter Steeplechase
1. Megan Broussard, LSU, 10:06.99, 4/14
2. Katherine Accardo, LSU, 10:29.12, 4/14
3. Stacey Enright, Louisiana-Lafayette, 11:09.12, 3/7
5000 Meters
1. Aubrey Phillips, Tulane, 17:23.30, 4/28
2. Keriann Langley, Tulane, 17:45.27, 4/21
3. Megan Broussard, LSU, 17:52.73, 5/10-13
10,000 Meters
1. Aubrey Phillips, Tulane, 36:48.32, 3/24
2. Sonia Clark, McNeese State, 38:59.10, 4/14
3. Electine Orido, Grambling State, 41:11.00, 4/19-20
100 Meter Hurdles
1. Nickiesha Wilson, LSU, 12.93, 6/8
2. Jessica Ohanaja, LSU, 13.01, 6/8
3. Angel Boyd, LSU, 13.21, 5/25-26
400 Meter Hurdles
1. Nickiesha Wilson, LSU, 55.20, 5/25-26
2. Miriam Barnes, La. Tech, 56.97, 5/25-26
3. Sadrina Shaw, Louisiana-Monroe, 1:02.04, 4/21
4 X 100 Meter Relay
1. LSU (Jessica Ohanaja, Samantha Henry, Brooklynn Morris, Skerry Fletcher), 43.14, 6/8
2. Tulane (Taneekwa Ross, Jasmine Momoh, Shaina Pelham, Gloria Asumnu), 44.74, 5/12
3. La. Tech (Kamelia Story, Latonia Wilson, Sophia Jackson, Lasides McClain), 45.19, 5/12
4 X 400 Meter Relay
1. LSU (Nickiesha Wilson, Cynetheia Rooks, LaTavia Thomas, Deonna Lawrence), 3:28.07, 6/9
2. La. Tech (Nina Gilbert, Kamelia Story, Miriam Barnes, Latonia Wilson), 3:28.90, 6/9
3. Tulane (Gloria Asumnu, Shannon Beelendorf, Olivia Kizzee, Jasmine Momoh), 3:37.38, 5/25-26
High Jump
1. Lindsay Brooks, McNeese State, 5-10 3/4, 5/12
2. Heather Davis, Louisiana Monroe, 5-10 3/4, 3/23
3. Shaunette Davidson, LSU, 5-9 3/4, 6/6, 6/8
Pole Vault
1. Katelyn Rodrigue, LSU, 13-3 3/4, 5/25-26
2. Kayla Vice, Louisiana-Lafayette, 12-0, 5/25/-26
3. Mallory Thompson, LSU, 11-9 3/4, 4/21
Long Jump
1. Andrea Linton, LSU, 20-8 1/2, 4/21
2. Kathryn Coleman, LSU, 20-8 5/12
3. Monica Robinson, Southern, 20-3 3/4, 4/21
Triple Jump
1. Andrea Linton, LSU, 44-1 1/4, 5/13
2. Kathryn Coleman, LSU, 41-11 1/4, 5/13
3. Latoya Collins, La. Tech, 41-10, 4/28
Shot Put
1. Shaterika Allen, La. Tech, 52-2 3/4, 5/11
2. Trecey Rew, Northwestern State, 47-10, 3/31
3. Mikaela Johansson, Southeastern Louisiana, 46-3 1/2, 3/31
Discus Throw
1. Katarina Busljetz, McNeese State, 162-8, 5/6
2. Phelecia Reynolds, La. Tech, 162-5, 4/5
3. Destiny Montemayor, Louisiana-Monroe, 153-6, 3/28
Hammer Throw
1. Mikaela Johansson, Southeastern Louisiana, 191-5, 3/17
2. Stephanie Gilbert, McNeese State, 183-4, 4/26
3. Kim Williams, LSU, 182-9, 3/31
Javelin Throw
1. Amanda Harmata, LSU, 166-4, 4/14
2. Betsy Baldwin, Southeastern Louisiana, 157-7, 6/7
3. Dawn Comeaux, Northwestern State, 154-2, 3/23
Heptathlon
1. Shaunette Davidson, LSU, 5,052
2. Casey Zeller, Southeastern Louisiana, 4,456, 5/4
3. Nicolette Taku, Tulane, 4,324, 5/12
Special Awards
Track Athlete of the Year -- Sherry Fletcher, LSU
Field Athlete of the Year -- Andrea Linton, LSU
Freshman of the Year -- LaTavia Thomas, LSU
Newcomer of the Year -- Nickiesha Wilson, LSU
Coach of the Year -- Dennis Shaver, LSU
