In a season teeming with track and field brilliance, Favour Ofili Godbless, the electrifying sprinter from LSU, has surged ahead of the global competition to become the world leader in the women’s 100-meter dash. Her eye-popping performance this outdoor season has not only elevated her personal status to that of a global track star but has also injected a powerful jolt of energy into the LSU Tigers’ championship aspirations.
As the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships approach, all eyes are on Baton Rouge. With Godbless setting the pace—literally and figuratively—the LSU track and field team is poised to contend on the national stage. For a program with a rich history of sprint dominance and All-American excellence, this moment feels like both a return to glory and the birth of a new era.
Godbless: The Sprinter Redefining Speed
At just 22 years old, Godbless has already achieved what many athletes spend a lifetime chasing. Her jaw-dropping 10.86 seconds in the 100-meter dash earlier this spring in Gainesville, Florida, now stands as the fastest legal time recorded in the world this season. That time not only earned her global recognition but also etched her name into LSU’s prestigious record books—home to legends like Aleia Hobbs and Kimberlyn Duncan.
Her route to the top has been anything but ordinary. Hailing from Nigeria, Godbless burst onto the U.S. collegiate scene with a raw, uncontainable talent that took some time to polish. Under the mentorship of LSU’s sprints coach Dennis Shaver and the guidance of a program known for producing Olympic-caliber athletes, she has blossomed into a fearsome competitor.
“I’ve always dreamed of being the best,” Godbless told reporters after her record-setting run. “I work hard every day not just to compete, but to dominate. I thank my coaches, my teammates, and God for putting me in this position.”
Indeed, her dominance this season extends beyond just the 100 meters. She’s also posted top-five national times in the 200-meter dash, while contributing to LSU’s scorching 4×100-meter relay squad, which enters the NCAA Championships with serious podium potential.
LSU’s Sprint Corps: Depth, Discipline, and Dazzle
While Godbless is undoubtedly the headline-maker, LSU’s track and field squad is far more than a one-woman show. The Tigers boast one of the deepest sprint units in the country, led by assistant coach Bennie Brazell. From the short sprints to the long relays, LSU has been putting up elite times across the board this outdoor season.
In the women’s 200 meters, Alia Armstrong has reasserted herself as a force to be reckoned with, after a standout indoor season. Armstrong, a hurdler by trade, has refined her form and power on the curve, clocking sub-23-second times that are trending upward.
Meanwhile, Michaela Rose, LSU’s phenom in the 800 meters, has developed into one of the most reliable mid-distance runners in the nation. Rose’s tactical intelligence, finishing speed, and ability to front-run are drawing comparisons to collegiate greats of the past. She’s expected to be a strong contender for the national title and a crucial points earner for the team.
On the men’s side, the Tigers are just as loaded. Da’Marcus Fleming continues to impress in the 100 and 200 meters, pushing for top-10 national rankings. And the men’s 4×100 relay has emerged as a top-five unit after a brilliant performance at the SEC Championships.
LSU’s strength in the sprint and relay events is no accident—it’s the result of decades of recruiting, coaching, and culture-building that has made the program synonymous with speed.
The Road to Nationals: LSU’s Momentum Is Real
The 2025 NCAA Championships, set to be held in Eugene, Oregon at the famed Hayward Field, will be the culminating stage for months of preparation, battles, and breakthroughs. For LSU, it’s not just about individual accolades; it’s about team supremacy. And the Tigers are heading into nationals with a wave of momentum behind them.
At the SEC Outdoor Championships, LSU’s women’s team finished in the top three, while the men’s team delivered a strong showing to place fourth. More importantly, the Tigers qualified a large contingent of athletes across multiple events for the national championships, ensuring they’ll have plenty of scoring opportunities in Eugene.
One major advantage LSU holds is the balance of elite sprints and field events. In the long jump, Claire Bryant continues to be among the NCAA’s best. She posted a wind-legal 6.74 meters this season, putting her firmly in medal contention. In the men’s field, Tzuriel Pedigo, a former NCAA champion in the javelin, looks poised for a comeback performance after battling injuries.
In total, LSU will send over 25 athletes to Eugene, with legitimate scoring potential in at least 10 different events. For a program that thrives on big-meet energy, this is an ideal setup for a national championship push.
National Landscape: Tigers Among the Title Favorites
The competition at the NCAA Championships will be fierce, as always. Arkansas, Florida, Texas A&M, and USC remain powerhouses in both men’s and women’s competition. But LSU, with its front-loaded sprint dominance and field event depth, has what it takes to stand tall among them.
LSU women’s coach Dennis Shaver believes this team is special—not just because of talent, but because of mindset.
“We’ve got fighters,” Shaver said. “Athletes like Godbless, Michaela, Claire—they don’t back down from the moment. They rise to it. That’s what gives me confidence going into nationals.”
According to the latest USTFCCCA team projections, LSU’s women are ranked No. 3 in the country, behind Arkansas and Texas, while the men’s team sits at No. 6, with room to climb depending on relay and sprint results.
If LSU delivers their full potential, a podium finish—and perhaps even a national title—is well within reach.
Olympic Implications: Godbless and the Global Stage
As national championships loom large, there’s another layer of anticipation swirling around Baton Rouge: the 2025 World Championships and the 2026 Summer Olympics are on the horizon. For Godbless, these next few months could mark her transition from collegiate standout to full-fledged international superstar.
Nigeria’s national team has taken notice. In fact, Godbless is already on the shortlist for the Nigerian Olympic squad, and she’ll likely be one of their headliners next summer. If her current form holds, she’ll be a threat to make a global final—and possibly even podium—on the world’s biggest stage.
LSU has long been a launching pad for Olympic greatness. From Xavier Carter to Richard Thompson to Sha’Carri Richardson, the program has cultivated world-class athletes who shine on both collegiate and international circuits. Godbless seems destined to join that legacy.
“She’s the future of sprinting, not just at LSU or in the NCAA, but globally,” said assistant coach Brazell. “She’s just getting started.”
The Legacy Continues
LSU’s track and field legacy is built on moments like these—when talent, timing, and team spirit converge into something unforgettable. Whether it’s Godbless’s world-leading speed, the collective dominance of the relay teams, or the individual brilliance across events, the 2025 squad is setting new standards.
With championship week approaching, the message is clear: LSU is back in the national title hunt, and they have the world’s fastest woman leading the way.
In a sport that measures greatness in hundredths of seconds, Godbless has given LSU more than just fast times—she’s given them belief.
TL;DR:
- Favour Ofili Godbless leads the world in the 100m with a 10.86.
- LSU Track and Field is a top contender heading into the NCAA Championships.
- The women’s team is ranked No. 3 nationally, with stars in sprints, hurdles, and field events.
- The men’s team boasts top-tier sprinters and relay squads, ranked No. 6 overall.
- Godbless is a potential future Olympian for Nigeria.
- LSU is poised to extend its legacy on both the collegiate and world stage.
