Johnson Jump Starts 2005 SEC Indoor Championships For Lady Bulldogs
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Mississippi State University's Lauren Johnson finished eighth in the pentathlon on the opening day of the 2005 Southeastern Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships. The Scottsboro, Ala.-native's 3,558 points is a collegiate-best in the event and ranks No. 3 on the MSU all-Time Superlatives list. The meet is being held at the Randal Tyson Indoor Track Complex on the campus of the University of Arkansas.
"Lauren has come such a long way this year," said Assistant Coach Karen Rademeyer. "She got out there, fought and didn't give up in the high jump, shot or long jump. She battled in the 800. We're excited about her performance and looking forward to see what the outdoor season holds."
Johnson opened with a sixth place finish in the 60-meter hurdles, posting her best time in the event this season in 8.82 seconds. The mark replaces her previous mark of 8.83 at No. 4 on the MSU all-Time Superlatives list. She then tied for 12th in the high jump, clearing 5-1 1/4.
In the shot put, Johnson's throw of 31-10 1/4 was good enough for 13th place and was a season-best in the event. Johnson's leap of 17-11 3/4 in the long jump placed her eighth among the competitors. In the final event, the 800-meter run, Johnson finished sixth in 2:28.11.
"I was just trying to score points for the team," Johnson said. "I did better in some events and didn't do as well as I expected to in others. It was a hard battle."
Women's action resumes Saturday at noon CT with the pole vault.