Brianna Lyston, Jamaica’s sprint sensation and 2022 World U20 200m champion, has officially moved into the professional ranks, bringing her injury-plagued NCAA career at LSU to a close. The former LSU standout , who captured the 2024 SEC indoor 60m crown, informed her coach of her decision. Persistent injuries, including one sustained during the 2024 NCAA Indoor Championships that forced her to miss the outdoor season, ultimately led to her transition.

Lyston joined LSU in 2022 after an outstanding junior career, capped by a 22.51-second victory in the 200m at Cali, Colombia. Despite her promise, recurring injuries hampered her progress at the collegiate level. Her coach backed her decision to move on but suggested she might benefit from a new coaching environment. He alluded to the consistency of his current unit, featuring standouts like Favour Ofili and Aleia Hobbs, and he emphasized his top priority: “Graduation comes first. I’ll back her, wherever her journey takes her.

Looking back on his experience coaching Lyston and other Jamaican athletes, Shaver had only words of praise.

“Every Jamaican athlete I’ve had the chance to coach—wherever it was—has made it an incredible experience,” he shared. “They’re hard-working, talented, and just a joy to work with. We absolutely love the Jamaicans. That’s the simple truth.”

Now, as Lyston closes the chapter on her collegiate journey, all eyes in the track and field world are eager to see if she can find her stride once more and shine at the professional level.