Track and Field: 19-Year-Old Jamaican Trying to Make a Life in America Steals Attention With Her Historical Win at Arkansas

LSU track and field coach Dennis Shaver had something special in his mind around a Jamaican prodigy who had joined the camp last year. Shaver did not want to make a hurried decision on the Jamaican’s track and debut in the blue jersey. Rather, he had tried to culminate in the words of the athlete’s high school coach.

Corey Bennett, the high school coach, had touted that the Jamaican talent’s longevity is thoroughly dependent on how she is managed in the sports. So the LSU HC had given a thought to waiting for the perfect moment and indoor turf to unfurl his latest pupil. Last Saturday came as the season debut moment for the gifted track and field talent. The result came out as a plethora of records. 

Brianna Lyston reaps track and field successes 

On Saturday, the Randal Tyson Track Center felt unfortunate to witness the back-to-back records in the 60m sprinting event. The tilt was already heavy on the side of LSU compared to host Arkansas Razorbacks. But the Razorback Invitational had its last chance on Saturday to see some records. The LSU sophomore Brianna Lyston rose to serve the notion. In the 60m indoor final, she took 7.07 to prove herself as the keeper of multiple records. The IG handle of LSU Track & Field took careful note of those records in its post’s caption. It read, “T-LSU 60m Record…No. 1 in the Nation…No. 3 in the World…No. 4 in collegiate PL history.” With that record, she made her position with LSU legend Aleia Hobbs, who had the same timing in 2018. Moreover, the timing appeared on par with the records made by the Jamaican Olympic medalists Shericka Jackson (7.04) and Shashalee Forbes (7.03). S

But after Saturday’s performance, those records won’t feel safer. Even Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s record of 6.98 would come into the vicinity, as the teenager’s consistency is on a different level. On Saturday’s prelims of 60 meters, Brianna Lyston took 7.14 seconds to strengthen her berth in the final. That timing was already 0.15 seconds better than her previous performance in the same location in 2023. That was not the only scary part of the sophomore’s performance. 

The overhauling consistency 

In her track and field debut for LSU Tigers last year, Brianna Lyston completed the 60 m indoor event in 7.32. That timing had equaled Jamaican legend and former 100m hurdle world champion, Briggitte Ann Foster’s 60m timing. Just after six days, Brianna had decreased the clocking by 0.3 seconds. That was the second time she had worn the blue jersey. 

Read more: 41-Year Record Shattered by US Track and Field Athlete at NCAA Championships

However, on Saturday Aleia Hobbs made 7.05 seconds in timing to win the 60m final. But for a prodigy like Brianna Lyston, Saturday was another lore in her track and field chapter that would go higher and higher in the coming days.

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