Last updated: October 31, 2026
Louisiana track and field colleges are built on speed, and LSU proved it again in 2026. The Tigers earned a nation-leading 20 first-team All-America honors, and sprinter Shawnti Jackson won three medals at the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field. Here is where Louisiana’s speed and power programs stand heading into the 2027 season.
Quick summary
- LSU leads the state: 28 All-Americans in 2026, including 20 first-team honors, the most in the country.
- Sprint power: Shawnti Jackson took silver in the 200m, bronze in the 100m and silver with the 4x100m relay at the 2026 NCAA outdoors.
- More programs: Louisiana Tech, Louisiana, Tulane, McNeese, Southern and Grambling State give athletes options across the FBS, FCS and HBCU levels.
LSU: the state’s speed factory
LSU finished the 2026 outdoor season with 28 All-America honors, 16 on the men’s side and 12 on the women’s, according to LSU Athletics. The 20 first-team honors led the nation.
Women’s sprints
Shawnti Jackson was the star of the NCAA Championships in Eugene. She ran 22.12 for silver in the 200m, a time that ranks No. 3 in LSU history, took bronze in the 100m in 11.01 after a personal-best 10.88 in the prelims, and ran on a 4x100m relay that won silver in 41.74, an LSU record and the program’s first relay under 42 seconds, LSU reported. Tima Godbless also made the 100m final, finishing seventh.
Men’s speed and power
Jaiden Reid earned three first-team honors in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay. Amal Glasgow was first-team in the 400m and 4x400m relay, Matthew Sophia in the 110m hurdles and Jack Larriviere in the javelin. Follow LSU men’s track and field on RallyFuel.
What “speed and power” means
Speed events
The 100m, 200m, 400m, hurdles and relays decide team meets fast. A program that can score in the sprints and anchor both relays can swing a championship in an afternoon, which is why Louisiana schools, with their deep pool of sprint talent, often punch above their size.
Power events
The jumps and throws, from long jump and triple jump to shot put, discus, hammer and javelin, are where explosive athletes score points on the field. LSU’s first-team javelin finish shows the Tigers’ strength isn’t only on the track.
Relays
The 4x100m and 4x400m combine raw speed with clean handoffs. One dropped baton can cost a team title, and one great relay can win it.
Other Louisiana programs to know
- Louisiana Tech: opened its 2026 outdoor season at LSU, an early test against one of the nation’s best.
- Louisiana (Lafayette): the Sun Belt’s Ragin’ Cajuns compete across sprints, hurdles, jumps and throws.
- Tulane: New Orleans’ Division I program.
- McNeese: Lake Charles’ Division I program.
- Southern and Grambling State: SWAC programs with long HBCU track traditions.
The national picture
Arkansas won the 2026 men’s NCAA outdoor team title and Georgia won the women’s, according to NCAA.com. With so many SEC teams at the top, LSU’s sprinters face championship-level competition every weekend of the conference season. For a national look at the top programs, see our guide to the best Division I track and field colleges in 2026.
NIL for track athletes
Track athletes rarely land the biggest NIL deals, but sprinters with strong social followings can earn from content, apparel and local appearances. Running clinics and youth camps are common, too. Our college cross country NIL guide covers how distance runners do it.
Follow College Athletes on RallyFuel
Keep up with every Louisiana program and browse college athletes by school and sport on RallyFuel, and make your picks on RallyFuel predictions.
FAQ
What is the best track and field college in Louisiana?
LSU is the state’s top program. In 2026 the Tigers earned 28 All-America honors, including a nation-leading 20 first-team honors.
How did LSU do at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Championships?
Shawnti Jackson won silver in the 200m, bronze in the 100m and silver in the 4x100m relay, which set an LSU record of 41.74. Arkansas won the men’s team title and Georgia won the women’s.
Which Louisiana colleges have track and field?
LSU, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana, Tulane, McNeese, Southern and Grambling State are among the Division I programs in the state.
What are power events in track and field?
Power events are the jumps and throws, such as the long jump, triple jump, shot put, discus, hammer and javelin, where explosive strength wins points.
