Sixth-ranked Texas A&M falls short against fourth-ranked LSU in Triangular

Texas A&M was four points shy of first place.

Texas A&M Athletics

No. 6 Texas A&M nearly tied for the team win, but came up short by four points as No. 4 LSU claimed the victory with 107.5 points. The Aggies were second with 103.5 points and Arkansas finished third with 103.

“From the first event of the day our team has to understand those two or three points that are scored early in the meet all add up,” Texas A&M coach Pat Henry said. “Everybody has to have a great day on the same day to win a track meet like this.

“Our guys really lined up and got after it and our girls got after it as well. The women got beat by a really good team [Saturday] by just a few points. At the SEC conference meet we’ll get to see these two teams again. This gives our team a taste of what is in front of them, who they need to beat and how to prepare for us to be successful at the SEC Championship.”

The women’s competition was decided in the final pair of events, the triple jump and 4×400. Following the distance medley relay, which was won by the Razorbacks, Arkansas held a half point lead against A&M 93 to 92.5 with LSU third at 91.5 points.

Arkansas claimed the women’s 4×400 in 3:36.03 with LSU second in 3:37.15 while the Aggies finished third in 3:38.26. That gave the Razorbacks a score of 100 with Texas A&M and LSU tied at 96.5.

The final round of the triple jump changed the fortunes of the Aggies. Jennifer Madu was leading the competition with a mark of 40-9.5 from the first round while LSU occupied second and third place with marks of 40-6 for both Keri Emanuel and Lynnika Pitts.

In the sixth round, Emanuel matched the mark for Madu to tie for first place. Emanual had a better second mark (40-6) than Madu’s 39-11.25. LSU claimed 11 points for a first and third place finish while A&M scored seven points with a second and fifth place. With only one jumper in the event Arkansas took three points with a fourth place effort.

Texas A&M totaled 11 victories in the meet, eight for the men and three for the women.

Ashley Collier sped to a 7.38 victory in the women’s 60 to lead a 1-2-3-4 finish by the Aggies. Ashton Purvis followed in second place at 7.44 with Madu third in 7.45 and Olivia Ekpone fourth at 7.52. LSU’s Kimberlyn Duncan won the 200 in 23.15 with Kamaria Brown second in 23.21 and Purvis third at 23.34.

LaQue Moen-Davis won the long jump (19-7.5) and Chelsea Utley claimed the high jump with a career-best equaling height of 5-9.25.