Baton Rouge, LA (U-WIRE) -- After retuning from a successful showing at the Mississippi State Bulldog Invitational, in which 12 athletes garnered regional qualifying marks, the LSU Track and Field team will now compete in the 78th annual Texas Relays in Austin, Texas.

The meet is considered the most prestigious track event in the South, but for LSU sprinter Bennie Brazell and 10 other athletes, it provides a chance to compete in their home state of Texas.

"It's always good when you get a chance to compete at home," Brazell said. "To be competing in front of your family and friends just adds another incentive to this meet."

Brazell, a native of Houston and four-time national champion, will be reunited with fellow 2004 Olympians Maurice Greene, Jeremy Wariner, Allen Johnson, and former LSU standout Derrick Brew in Austin.

"With all the surroundings and people there, it'll be an electric atmosphere," Brazell said. "It'll just be fun to see all the Olympians I ran with in Athens again."

Brazell, who is featured on the official Texas Relay's website will be competing in the 4x100 and the 4x400-meter relays, after taking last week off to rest. The relay teams will consist of a combination of Brazell, Kelly Willie, Reginald Dardar, Siraj Williams, Xavier Carter and Marvin Stevenson.

"This will be the first time that we will be running our 'A' team for both the men and women in the relays," said coach Dennis Shaver. "The 4x400 will be a primetime event with many of the top indoor schools running. We have had some awfully fast times in the men's relays before, but I have never seen more talent than on this relay team."

Carter, who is also returning from a weekend of rest, was recently named 2005 Southeastern Conference Freshman Indoor Runner of the Year.

The Melbourne, Fla., native turned in an impressive indoor season, breaking the 200-meter school record three times in one month, before posting a personal best mark of 20.39 seconds.

Carter carries that momentum into this year's outdoor season - starting at the Texas Relay's.

"I'm very excited about receiving the SEC Indoor Freshman of the Year honor," Carter said. "I'm just hoping the success can carry over in to my outdoor season."

Carter is a big reason the Tigers are ranked sixth in the nation in the first outdoor track rankings. He, along with Brazell and junior Willie, are nationally-ranked in their respective events.

The Lady Tigers, who could improve their national ranking of 17, also boast nationally-ranked runners.

Senior RaNysha LeBlanc is listed a No. 4 in the 100-meter hurdles this week. Freshmen Ashley Owens (100 meters), Deonna Lawrence (400 meters), and Kelly Baptiste (200 meters) also sport national rankings.

In the field Tina Harris will also carry a national-ranking to the meet. The sophomore is ranked ninth in the long jump and was recently named SEC Women's Field Athlete of the Week for her efforts at last week's Bulldog Invitational.

The Texas Relay's, which will take place from April 6-9, will feature stiff competition for the LSU track and field team - hosting seven of the top 10 finishers in the men's indoor competition and six of the top 10 women's indoor finishers.

The Tigers will conclude a three-meet road trip next weekend, when it travels to Arizona to compete in the Sun Angel Classic on April 16.

(C) 2004 The Reveille via U-WIRE