Auburn Track and Field Heads to Baton Rouge Looking to Make a Statement at the Competitive LSU Invitational Meet
The Auburn Tigers track and field program is gearing up for another pivotal test this outdoor season as they head to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for the annual LSU Invitational. Held at the Bernie Moore Track Stadium, the meet is slated to feature several powerhouse programs from across the Southeast, setting the stage for a high-stakes, high-performance competition that will provide valuable experience ahead of postseason meets. For Auburn, the trip represents both a chance to sharpen its elite talents and provide younger athletes with meaningful reps in a championship-style environment.
The LSU Invitational has long held a reputation as one of the premier late-season meets in the region, often drawing teams with SEC title and NCAA championship aspirations. That level of competition is exactly what Auburn needs as it enters the homestretch of its outdoor campaign. With the SEC Outdoor Championships looming just a couple of weeks away, head coach Leroy Burrell and his staff are looking for their athletes to execute, compete fearlessly, and fine-tune technical details that could be the difference between qualifying for the national meet or missing out by a fraction of a second or inch.
Auburn comes into the weekend with several athletes either nationally ranked or sitting high in the SEC standings. Among the headliners are sprinters like Makanakaishe Charamba and Kanyinsola Ajayi, both of whom have been producing consistent results throughout the season. Charamba, the Zimbabwean national, has emerged as one of Auburn’s most reliable short sprinters. His combination of explosive starts and top-end speed has helped him challenge some of the top runners in the country in both the 100 and 200 meters. The LSU Invitational will offer yet another litmus test, as he lines up against athletes from LSU, Texas A&M, and Florida who boast national-level credentials.
Ajayi, on the other hand, has been steadily improving throughout the season and looks primed to make a statement in the 400 meters. With the race drawing athletes with sub-46-second credentials, the Auburn junior will need to be on point from the gun. However, recent workouts and training indicators have suggested he is rounding into peak form at just the right time. A strong performance in Baton Rouge would not only boost his confidence heading into SECs but could also vault him into the national qualifying picture.
In the hurdles, all eyes will be on Auburn’s standout hurdler Caitlyn Little, who has been one of the steadiest forces on the women’s side. Little has consistently clocked times in the low 13-second range in the 100-meter hurdles and has proven capable of handling pressure-packed environments. Competing against the likes of LSU’s Alia Armstrong and Texas A&M’s Caila Mendoza, Little will get an early taste of the level of competition she’ll see again at the SEC Championships and, potentially, at the NCAA Championships in Eugene.
The middle distance events also feature some intriguing Auburn entrants. Freshman sensation Faith Scurlock has emerged as a name to watch in the 800 meters, showing a maturity well beyond her years. The Baton Rouge heat will test her racing instincts and tactical ability, especially in a field that could include multiple runners with sub-2:05 times. Scurlock has shown no fear thus far in her debut campaign and will look to further her development with another strong outing in a competitive field.
On the men’s side in the same event, junior Kevin Rivers is expected to toe the line. Rivers, known for his closing speed, has made consistent strides this season after an injury-plagued indoor campaign. Baton Rouge will serve as an important benchmark for Rivers, who is looking to put himself in position to make the conference final and score valuable points for Auburn when championship season rolls around.
The throws group continues to be a backbone of the Auburn program, and LSU will be another proving ground for a unit that has delivered strong performances all season long. Senior Nathaniel Meek has been a model of consistency in the javelin, regularly surpassing the 70-meter mark and ranking among the SEC’s best. His approach, runway rhythm, and arm whip have all been locked in recently, and LSU’s favorable conditions could be just the setting for a season-best mark.
Discus thrower Leila Phillips is also someone to watch on the women’s side. A transfer from Oregon, Phillips has brought with her a wealth of experience and has begun to find her groove after an uneven start to the season. Baton Rouge will provide an opportunity to not only gauge her progress but also to compete in a ring known for producing strong distances thanks to ideal wind conditions and high-quality competition. If Phillips can string together a clean series of throws, she could be in for a breakout day that repositions her within the NCAA qualifying conversation.
In the jumps, high jumper Laila Campbell will be looking to build off of a recent performance in which she cleared a season-best height. Confidence is rising in her camp, and with more technical adjustments being locked in during training, she could make a push into the SEC’s upper tier with another strong outing in Baton Rouge. The women’s long jump will feature a pair of Tigers in senior Briana Young and sophomore Olivia Spears, both of whom have shown flashes of brilliance but are still looking for a big breakthrough. With LSU’s pit known for fast boards and optimal approach setups, the setting is ripe for at least one of them to hit a personal best.
Auburn’s relay teams will also be under the spotlight this weekend. The men’s 4×100-meter relay, anchored by Charamba, has flirted with sub-39 times this season and will face a loaded field that includes perennial powerhouses like LSU and Florida. Smooth handoffs and acceleration through the exchange zones will be critical. Auburn has put an emphasis on relays during practice the past few weeks, and it’s evident the staff views these events as both point-scoring opportunities and momentum-builders heading into the postseason.
The women’s 4×400-meter relay is another unit to keep an eye on, especially with the coaching staff testing out a few different lineup combinations ahead of SECs. Having a deep, versatile group allows for flexibility, and the LSU Invitational will provide clues as to what the final lineup might look like when the championship races begin.
Aside from the individual events, the meet in Baton Rouge offers Auburn a chance to continue building team chemistry and collective momentum. Track and field can often feel like a series of isolated individual efforts, but successful programs find ways to cultivate a team-first culture where each athlete’s performance is seen as contributing to a larger whole. Auburn’s staff has worked hard to foster that mindset, and weekends like this—on the road, in competitive settings—are where those efforts bear fruit.
From a developmental perspective, the LSU Invitational serves as a key checkpoint in the season. For some athletes, it’s a chance to lock in regional qualifying marks. For others, it’s about gaining experience and getting a feel for big-meet atmospheres. And for a select few, it’s a platform to make a major statement on the national stage.
With the SEC Championships fast approaching and the NCAA East Preliminary Rounds following shortly after, this meet will likely go a long way in determining final travel rosters and establishing pecking orders within each event group. Burrell and his staff will be watching closely, not just for standout times or distances, but for how athletes carry themselves under pressure, how they respond to adversity, and whether they can elevate their game when it matters most.
For the Auburn Tigers, the trip to Baton Rouge isn’t just another weekend on the schedule. It’s an opportunity. It’s a test. It’s a measuring stick. And, if things go well, it could be a springboard toward a memorable postseason run.
With athletes spread across the full range of events—from sprints and hurdles to jumps, throws, and distance—the Tigers are bringing a complete, well-rounded squad to one of the most competitive environments in the country. The goal is clear: compete hard, stay healthy, and take another step closer to peak performance when it matters most. Auburn’s journey continues, and Baton Rouge could be a turning point in that story.
