The Geaux Tigers spirit still runs deep in Sha’Carri Richardson’s veins—even as she blazes her trail far beyond the collegiate circuit. When she stormed to a silver medal in the women’s 100m at the 2024 Paris Olympics, LSU made sure to spotlight her success on the front page of their athletics website. But their support for her goes back even further. In 2021, when Sha’Carri faced personal tragedy and a subsequent suspension from USADA, it was LSU head coach Dennis Shaver who publicly stood by her.

“We offer Sha’Carri our support during these difficult times,” the veteran track and field coach wrote on X. “The most important thing is for us to be here and support her off the track in moments like these.” Why the connection?—Because LSU is where it all began. Sha’Carri launched her collegiate career in Baton Rouge in 2018, lit up the track with record-breaking performances, and went on to win the NCAA outdoor 100m title. She didn’t just race—she rewrote history, later claiming the prestigious Bowerman Award, the highest honor in collegiate track and field. She was, and in many ways still is, LSU’s golden girl. But while Sha’Carri now commands the global stage, back home, her alma mater is facing turbulence.

On June 13 at the NCAA Track and Field Championships, the LSU men’s 4x100m relay team initially brought hope, finishing third behind Auburn and USC. For a fleeting moment, it seemed the Tigers had clawed their way onto the podium. But that celebration was short-lived. Officials later disqualified the team for repeated lane infractions—stepping on the lines more than once. It was a painful blow in a season already riddled with challenges. But no one could have expected such a result, especially after the showdown in the heat event. 

On June 11, the LSU men’s 4×100-meter relay team kicked off the action at the iconic Hayward Field in Oregon with an electrifying performance. The squad—Jahiem Stern, Myles Thomas, Jaiden Reid, and Jelani Watkins—clocked an impressive 38.14 seconds, marking the second-fastest time in LSU history and securing a spot in the final. However, that same lineup returned to the track on Friday for the championship race, but the outcome didn’t meet the expectations of the LSU faithful. Still, does this mean there’s nothing for Tiger fans to cheer about? Has the absence of Sha’Carri Richardson—a name that once lit up the LSU roster—left a lingering void six years later?

Sha’Carri Richardson’s successors are on a desperate road 

On June 12, Tima Godbless—one of Sha’Carri Richardson’s successors in the LSU sprint legacy—delivered another strong performance on the track. She clocked a wind-aided 10.91 seconds in the 100m semifinals, matching her personal best set earlier at the NCAA East First Round. With that time, Godbless became one of six women to break the 11-second barrier and secure a spot in Saturday’s final.

Another standout moment came from junior Ella Onojuvwevwo in the 400m. She blazed to a new LSU record of 50.31 seconds to win her heat and advance to the final, shaving 0.26 seconds off her previous best of 50.57 from last season. In doing so, Onojuvwevwo also became the fastest Nigerian woman in the 400m in the last 25 years—a remarkable milestone.

LSU’s first points of the week came earlier in the women’s 10,000m, thanks to newcomer Edna Chepkemoi. Competing in her first NCAA Championship, Chepkemoi shattered her personal best by more than a minute, finishing sixth in 32:10.75 to set a new LSU record and add three valuable points to the team total. She also became just the second LSU athlete ever to run under 33 minutes in the event.

As the competition heads into its final stretch on Saturday, all eyes will be on Godbless, who is set to compete in both the women’s 100m final and the 4x100m relay, while Onojuvwevwo takes on the 400m final. The question now is: can they lift LSU’s overall performance and finish the championships on a high note?