World-class field set for Alumni Gold meet

• Advocate news services
• Published: Apr 19, 2008 - Page: 7C - UPDATED: 12:20 a.m.

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The LSU track and field teams wrap up their home schedule when they host a world-class field at the LSU Alumni Gold this afternoon at Bernie Moore Track Stadium.

LSU’s top-ranked women’s team and second-ranked men’s team will be going up against a field that contains five ranked opponents.

The Tigers will battle two Top 10 teams in No. 1 Texas A&M and No. 8 Auburn. The Lady Tigers will compete against such ranked opponents as No. 3 Texas A&M, No. 11 Auburn and No. 19 Ole Miss.

Action starts at 11:30 a.m. with the field events followed by the first track events at 2 p.m.

“I don’t think there’s any question that this is the biggest home meet of the year for our teams with the quality field we’re able to attract,” LSU coach Dennis Shaver said. “We’ve got some of the best collegiate teams in the country that are going to be here, as well as some of the best athletes from around the world. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

The LSU Alumni Gold also features many former LSU standouts who will be looking to earn a berth to the Summer Olympics.

Headlining the list of former Tigers scheduled to compete are Derrick Brew and Walter Davis. Brew won two medals at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, including a gold medal in the 1,600-meter relay and a bronze medal in the 400 meters. Davis is a two-time Olympian and was the world outdoor champion in the triple jump in 2005.

A former world indoor champion, former LSU standout Alleyne Francique will compete alongside Brew in the 400 meters and 1,600-meter relay. Former Tigers Isa Phillips and Russ Buller will also open up their outdoor seasons today.

Phillips became the first Tiger in 40 years to win an NCAA title in the 400 hurdles with his win a year ago, while Buller is a former NCAA champion in the pole vault after winning in 2000.

The Lady Tigers have three former standouts scheduled to compete. Hurdler Lolo Jones, who is the reigning world indoor champion in the 60-meter hurdles, is slated to open her outdoor season in the 100 hurdles, while Marian Burnett and Neisha Bernard-Thomas are two of three sub two-minute 800-meter runners in the field.

Other world-class athletes scheduled to compete include two sub 50-second 400-meter women in Davita Pendergast and Novelene Williams, as well as sprinters from the Canadian National Team under the direction of former LSU All-American Glenroy Gilbert.

“It’s become a tradition for many of our alumni who are still competing as professionals to come back and participate in this meet,” Shaver said. “That obviously elevates the level of competition, and there are a lot of events at this meet that are really loaded up with some great collegiate and professional athletes. It’s going to be great to see them get out there and compete.”

The LSU Alumni Gold also marks the final time 23 LSU seniors will compete at Bernie Moore. They will be honored in a ceremony set for 6:40 p.m.