BATON ROUGE, La. – May 3, 2025 — With postseason momentum beginning to swell and national rankings on the line, Auburn track and field is headed to Baton Rouge this weekend for the prestigious LSU Invitational, a meet that traditionally draws top-tier talent from across the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and beyond. The Tigers are eyeing a powerful showing as they look to fine-tune performances ahead of the SEC Outdoor Championships and ultimately the NCAA postseason.
Auburn’s trip to Baton Rouge comes at a crucial time in the outdoor season. With only a few competitive meets left before championship action begins, athletes are entering peak performance windows. For a squad that has produced a series of standout efforts throughout the spring, this weekend’s meet offers both a proving ground and a potential springboard.
The LSU Invitational, held at Bernie Moore Track Stadium, is known for its fast times and deep fields. Hosting powerhouse programs such as LSU, Texas A&M, Alabama, and Florida, the meet represents one of the final chances to post qualifying marks for the NCAA East Prelims later this month. For Auburn, that means the stakes are high — but so is the confidence.
“This is the kind of meet where our athletes thrive,” said Auburn head coach Leroy Burrell. “The competition level pushes everyone to elevate their game. It’s an important checkpoint for where we are and what we need to sharpen heading into SECs.”
Burrell, a former Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in the 100 meters, has infused the Auburn program with a heightened focus on both sprint and relay success since taking the reins. And this weekend, his sprinters and jumpers are expected to be in the spotlight.
Junior standout Ja’Michael Williams has emerged as one of Auburn’s key weapons in the sprints this season. With top-10 conference times in both the 100m and 200m, Williams is expected to challenge for the podium in Baton Rouge. He’s not alone — teammates Evan Carter and Elijah Jones have also consistently delivered fast times this season.
“We’ve got the speed to compete with anybody in the country,” said sprints coach Devin West. “Our guys have been training for these moments. The LSU track is fast. The weather will be warm. It’s the perfect setup.”
On the women’s side, sophomore sensation Nyah Kennedy has continued her breakout campaign with impressive showings in the 100m hurdles and 400m. After a personal-best performance at the Florida Relays, Kennedy is eager to measure herself against some of the SEC’s best hurdlers in Baton Rouge.
Meanwhile, freshman sprinter Destiny McBride is steadily gaining attention. The Georgia native has improved her 200m time each week and could be a surprise factor at LSU. “We knew Destiny had a high ceiling,” West added. “She’s starting to tap into it.”
In the field events, Auburn will once again rely on senior long jumper Jared Whitmore and sophomore high jumper Simone Johnson to anchor the team’s efforts. Whitmore, an NCAA Indoor All-American, has been consistent all spring but is chasing a wind-legal jump that will cement his postseason qualification. Baton Rouge, with its sea-level altitude and favorable wind patterns, might offer the ideal conditions.
Johnson, who cleared a personal-best 1.84m last month, is among the SEC’s top five in the high jump and looking to add consistency heading into championship season. “It’s about rhythm and confidence,” said Auburn jumps coach Eric Werskey. “She’s in the right headspace, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she goes higher this weekend.”
The throws crew has quietly become one of Auburn’s most improved groups. Junior discus thrower Mateo Soriano has cracked the top-15 nationally, while sophomore shot putter Reese Blackwell is trending toward a qualifying mark for NCAA East Prelims. Expect both to be in action in Baton Rouge, facing stiff competition from LSU’s elite throws squad.
Auburn’s men’s 4x100m relay team is drawing attention. The quartet of Carter, Jones, Williams, and senior anchor Terrence Lewis has steadily improved its handoffs and chemistry. After clocking a 39.02 at the Texas Relays — the sixth-fastest time in school history — the group is gunning for a sub-39 finish this weekend.
“We’ve cleaned up our exchanges and are starting to click,” Lewis said. “We know we can run with anyone.”
On the women’s side, the 4x400m relay team, led by Kennedy and veteran middle-distance runner Erica Samuels, is also looking to break through. The team narrowly missed the NCAA qualifying mark last weekend and has identified Baton Rouge as a chance to deliver a season-defining performance.
While Auburn is better known for sprints and field events, the distance squad is beginning to make waves under new assistant coach Angel Piccirillo, a former Penn State All-American. Freshman Abigail Greene has shown promise in the 800m and is on the cusp of dipping below the 2:05 barrier — a mark that would place her among the top freshmen in the nation.
On the men’s side, senior Colin Payne will toe the line in the 1500m and possibly the 5,000m as he continues his push toward a postseason berth. “Colin is a grinder,” Piccirillo said. “He’s peaking at the right time.”
Also making progress is sophomore Owen Kline, who has quietly put together a strong outdoor campaign in the steeplechase. Kline is expected to run in a tactical field in Baton Rouge, and his goal is to trim several seconds off his season-best.
With the SEC Championships looming (May 9–11 in Gainesville), this weekend is critical for Auburn athletes looking to lock in NCAA East Regional qualifying marks. The top 48 performers in each event from the East Region will earn a spot at the NCAA prelims in Lexington, Kentucky later this month.
Currently, Auburn has 22 athletes with marks ranked within the NCAA East top 48, and several more are within striking distance. The LSU Invitational could easily push that number closer to 30, depending on conditions and competition.
“The postseason starts now, really,” Coach Burrell emphasized. “Every race, every jump, every throw matters from here on out.”
The trip to LSU also doubles as a prime recruiting opportunity. With multiple high school state championships wrapping up across the South, many elite prep athletes are expected to be in attendance. Auburn’s coaching staff will have eyes on both current performances and potential future Tigers.
This spring has already seen Auburn gain momentum on the recruiting trail, with commitments from top regional sprinters and a pair of promising jumpers. Burrell and his staff have been deliberate in their message: Auburn track is on the rise.
“We’re building a foundation that can contend for SEC titles and make national noise,” said Coach West. “And we’re not far off.”
As Auburn loads the bus for Baton Rouge, the atmosphere around the program is one of quiet confidence. They know the LSU Invitational will be one of their toughest tests of the outdoor season, but also one of the best stages to showcase their potential.
Whether it’s a season-defining sprint, a clutch throw, or a personal-best relay leg, this weekend represents an opportunity. And for Auburn track and field, it’s an opportunity they fully intend to seize.
