The LSU women have had a great ending to their gymnastics campaign from last season as they lifted the NCAA title for the first time in program history earlier this year. Looking to replicate that success in other departments as well, the Tigers are heading to Eugene, Oregon, to take on the 2024 NCAA Track and Field Finals with gusto. As LSU looks to add to its trophy cabinet, its star alum Sha’Carri Richardson couldn’t help but not do her part to hype her juniors.

With the Olympics creeping up, Richardson has her hands full with the preparations. While she continues her quest for the maiden Olympic gold, Sha’Carri still holds a Tigers record in the women’s 100m dash, which she set at the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Finals. Naturally, who better to share a few words of encouragement before the national title race begins?

The official LSU Track & Field account on Instagram account recently posted a clip captioned, “What’s a “TrackTown” without the Tigers?” where Sha’Carri can be heard narrating the importance for the LSU athletes to maintain composure ahead of the second rounds of the D1 Finals. Joining high-jump sensation Mondo Duplantis, the sprinter makes it clear just how special the finalists all are by their own rights.

“Miles and miles under your feet led you here,” the reigning world champ reminds her colleagues to keep their faith in themselves. “It is right where Tigers belong,” Mondo also clarifies. Sha’Carri reiterates the legacy that LSU carries on its broad shoulders to motivate the current squad to “take back” what is theirs.

While Sha’Carri fires up the thirst among the juniors to bring back the national title to Baton Rouge, she will be hitting the tracks herself in Eugene later this month to punch her tickets to Paris. Eyeing her first Olympic gold medal, Richardson has been gaining momentum over the months and looks ready to take the fight to her opponents.

Sha’Carri Richardson in preparation mode

The Tokyo Olympics didn’t pan out the way Sha’Carri wanted to. Despite being one of the strongest contenders to make the team, Richardson was barred at the last moment for failing a drug test. However, that snag seems to have fueled more fire into her ambitions than ever before, and she sent out a resolute message to her opponents in Budapest last year. Toppling sensational Jamaican stars like Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce to win the 100m gold, Sha’Carri made it clear that she will leave no stone unturned to add the biggest prize to her medal cabinet.

At the Prefontaine Classic last month, it was once again the Oregon city where Dallas native once again showed her mettle by winning the women’s 100m race. While Richardson did pull out of several events this year, she made several appearances in the stands, quite possibly to update herself on how her foes are shaping up.

Now, as the final lap to the French capital jolts into action, it remains to be seen if both LSU and Sha’Carri can make their dreams a reality in the coming days.