Feb. 14, 2015
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AUBURN, Ala. - Junior Jessie Johnson broke her school record in the pole vault on Saturday as the Tigers concluded the indoor regular season at the LSU High Performance Meet, Tyson Invitational and Husky Invitational.
Johnson broke her record three times, clearing 13-4.5/4.08m and 13-8.5/4.18m before setting the facility record at the Carl Maddox Field House at 14-0.5/4.28m. The Argyle, Texas' mark currently ranks 10th in the nation and fifth in the SEC.
"Obviously this was a big weekend," head coach Ralph Spry said. "We tried to put ourselves in the best situation and so we sent a group to Arkansas, Washington and Louisiana. We had a lot of personal bests this weekend, which is what we are looking for. Now we have some momentum heading into the SEC Championships. Personal bests give you confidence, and that is what we need at this time of the year. DJ (Smith), Marshay (Ryan), Ty (McCormack) and Jessie (Johnson) all had quality national marks. Teray (Smith) had a great run today in the 200m as well. We had quite a few national marks that can get us a good group qualified heading into the NCAAs, so I am very pleased with our effort."
At the Tyson Invitational, senior DJ Smith tied his personal record in the high jump at 7-3/2.21m to finish third. Sophomore Marshay Ryan placed third in the triple jump with a distance of 42-4/12.90m, which is tied for 17th in the nation and third in the SEC.
In the 200m, sophomore Teray Smith clocked personal-best 20.97, which ranks eighth in the SEC and 17th nationally. Sophomore Sashel Brown ran a 24.47 in the 200m to set a new personal record. Junior Redatu Semeon recorded a new personal best in the 5000m at 14:55.94.
At the Husky Invitational in Seattle, Wash., senior Kane Grimster won the mile at 4:04.73, his fastest time in the event since 2012. Sophomore Emily Stevens placed 10th in the mile with a personal-best time of 4:46.83. Sophomore Rachel Givens set a new personal best in the 3000m at 9:38.68.
Sophomore Brianna Heilsnis placed second in the weight throw at the LSU High Performance Meet with a new personal-best throw of 58-5.25/17.81m. Freshman Jake Knight recorded a new personal record in the shot put at 53-11.25/16.44m. Freshman Grant Schumacher won the high jump with a personal-best clearance of 6-8.25/2.04m.
The Tigers will return to action Feb. 27-28 at the SEC Indoor Championships in Lexington, Ky.
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