Tigers earn 32 bids to NCAA East Preliminaries
The LSU Tigers’ track and field program has long been a standard-bearer in the NCAA ranks, and the 2025 season is proving no different. With an impressive 32 entries to the NCAA East Preliminaries, the Tigers have showcased their unparalleled depth and talent across a broad range of events. From veteran leaders to breakout stars, this squad is primed for postseason success.
Let’s take a closer look at how the Tigers got here, the athletes who will be representing LSU, and what this momentous achievement means for the program’s championship ambitions.
The 2025 outdoor season has seen the LSU track and field teams steadily rise through the national rankings. The men’s team, led by head coach Dennis Shaver, has hovered near the top of the USTFCCCA rankings all spring. Meanwhile, the women’s team, powered by a potent mix of veteran sprinters and rising field event stars, has also remained a fixture in the top 10.
This success hasn’t come overnight. Since the start of the season in early March, LSU has sent athletes to high-profile meets such as the Texas Relays, the Florida Relays, and the LSU Invitational. These competitions have served as both proving grounds and preview shows for the NCAA postseason.
When the NCAA announced the East Preliminary qualifiers, LSU’s contingent of 32 athletes stood as one of the largest and most impressive in the country. In fact, the number is a testament to LSU’s versatility, with athletes in sprints, hurdles, middle distance, jumps, throws, and relays all earning spots.
The East Preliminaries—often referred to as “the first round” of the NCAA Championships—will take place in Lexington, Kentucky, from May 22-25. The top 12 finishers in each event at the East Prelims will advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon, from June 5-8.
Here’s a breakdown of LSU’s entries by event group:
- Sprints and hurdles: 12 entries
- Distance and middle distance: 4 entries
- Jumps: 8 entries
- Throws: 4 entries
- Relays: 4 entries
This distribution reflects LSU’s signature strength in sprints and jumps while highlighting the program’s recent growth in throws and distance events.
No conversation about LSU track and field is complete without discussing the program’s legendary sprint tradition. The 2025 season has been no exception, with both the men’s and women’s sprint groups producing eye-popping times.
Leading the charge is Michaela Rose, the 800-meter standout who has been rewriting the LSU record books. Rose’s winning time of 1:58.73 at the SEC Championships not only secured her a spot in the East Prelims but also marked the fastest time in collegiate track this season. She’s joined by teammates Tionna Beard and Jayla Thompson in the 400m and 200m, ensuring a formidable LSU presence in the women’s sprint events.
On the men’s side, Da’Marcus Fleming and Sean Burrell headline a deep group of sprinters. Fleming, the SEC runner-up in the 100m, has posted a personal best of 10.02 this spring, while Burrell, better known as a 400m hurdler, has also dipped under 46 seconds in the open 400m.
Speaking of Sean Burrell, the reigning NCAA champion in the 400m hurdles is once again a focal point for the Tigers. Burrell’s ability to excel in both the 400m flat and the hurdles makes him a legitimate national title threat in either event. His best of 48.75 in the hurdles this year ranks third nationally and sets him up as a heavy favorite to advance to Eugene.
Burrell isn’t just an individual force; his experience and championship mentality elevate the entire relay squad. Expect him to anchor LSU’s 4x400m relay, a group that has run 3:00.50 this season and looks poised to challenge for the NCAA title.
LSU’s dominance in the horizontal jumps is as deep as ever. In the men’s long jump, Jai’Veon Williams leads the way with a season-best leap of 8.12m, which sits inside the national top five. Teammate Kobe Franklin also surpassed the 8-meter mark this season, giving the Tigers a one-two punch that few teams can match.
The women’s horizontal jumps feature Alia Armstrong in the triple jump, where she set a new personal best of 13.86m at the SEC meet. Armstrong’s ability to rise to the occasion has been a major factor in LSU’s postseason outlook.
In the throws, LSU has four entries, highlighted by Ethan Martinez in the javelin and Tori Jones in the discus. These event groups have been steadily improving under throws coach Derek Yush, and their presence at the East Prelims demonstrates the growing breadth of LSU’s program.
Historically, the Tigers have leaned on their sprinters and jumpers for big points, but the 2025 season has seen a surge in middle-distance and distance talent. Michaela Rose’s 800m dominance has been complemented by strong seasons from Logan Mayer in the men’s 1500m and Maddie Henderson in the women’s 5000m.
Henderson, in particular, has been a revelation. The sophomore has taken nearly 20 seconds off her 5000m personal best this season, culminating in a time of 15:45.22 that ranks third in the East. Her presence at the East Prelims underscores LSU’s expanding footprint in distance events.
The 4x100m and 4x400m relays are often the showstoppers of any NCAA meet, and LSU’s squads are built to deliver. The women’s 4x100m relay, anchored by Thompson, has clocked a blistering 42.89 this season—good enough for the second-fastest time in the country. Meanwhile, the men’s 4x100m relay sits at 38.55, with a top-5 national ranking that positions them as serious contenders for an NCAA title.
Coach Shaver has consistently emphasized a balanced approach, one that prizes both individual brilliance and team unity. This philosophy is reflected in the Tigers’ 32 entries across such a wide range of events.
“Our philosophy has always been about putting together a complete team—sprints, jumps, throws, distance. That’s what it takes to win at the highest level,” Shaver said after the entries were announced. “These 32 athletes have earned the opportunity to compete on the biggest stage, and I couldn’t be prouder of their hard work.”
The NCAA East Prelims in Lexington won’t be easy. With powerhouse programs like Florida, Georgia, and Kentucky also bringing strong squads, every race, jump, and throw will be a battle for those coveted top-12 spots. But if there’s one thing LSU has shown time and again, it’s that they thrive under pressure.
For athletes like Michaela Rose and Sean Burrell, the East Prelims are about more than just advancing—they’re about sending a message to the rest of the nation that LSU is coming for the NCAA team title.
The Tigers’ success in 2025 builds on a legacy of national dominance. LSU’s men’s and women’s programs have combined for 15 NCAA Outdoor team championships, and the Tigers are consistently in the mix for the team trophy.
The 2024 NCAA Championships saw the LSU men finish third overall and the women in fifth, highlighting the program’s national consistency. With a loaded squad heading to the East Prelims this year, the Tigers have their eyes on adding to that championship haul.
Part of what makes this year’s LSU team so dangerous is the combination of experienced veterans and fearless newcomers. Athletes like Burrell and Thompson bring big-meet experience and national titles to the table, while younger stars like Henderson and Mayer provide the hunger and raw speed needed to chase glory.
The program’s recruiting pipeline has also paid dividends. Freshmen Alyssa Green (100m hurdles) and Jordan McFarland (pole vault) both earned East Prelim bids in their first seasons in Baton Rouge, hinting at even brighter days ahead.
As the Tigers prepare for Lexington, the focus shifts to fine-tuning the details. Race strategy, technical adjustments in field events, and mental fortitude all play pivotal roles at this stage.
“We know what’s at stake,” said assistant coach Bennie Brazell, who oversees the sprint groups. “It’s about executing in the moment and trusting the work we’ve put in all season.”
For many of these athletes, the East Prelims are as much about mental strength as physical readiness. The intensity of the NCAA postseason can be overwhelming, but the Tigers have shown time and again that they are built for the moment.
With 32 entries in the NCAA East Prelims, LSU has once again proven that it is a track and field powerhouse built for the long haul. Whether it’s the lightning speed of the sprint groups, the technical brilliance of the jumpers, or the emerging presence in the distance events, this is a team that represents everything that makes LSU track and field special.
As they head to Lexington, one thing is clear: the Tigers aren’t just going to compete—they’re going to contend. And if history is any guide, they’ll be bringing back a big haul from Eugene when all is said and done.
The LSU Tigers have 32 reasons to believe in this year’s NCAA postseason. With a balanced squad and a championship mindset, the Purple and Gold faithful have every reason to expect more fireworks on the biggest stage.
The journey begins at the NCAA East Preliminaries in Lexington, and the Tigers will be ready. Let the chase for Eugene—and history—begin.
