LSU Celebrates Onojuvwevwo’s Audacious Chase of Records Older Than Herself

LSU Track & Field is celebrating the remarkable rise of Nigerian sprinter Ella Onojuvwevwo, who at just 20 years old has become the second-fastest African woman ever in the indoor 400m.

Onojuvwevwo clocked 50.96 seconds at the Southeastern Conference indoor championships, a time that places her within reach of two historic marks, both set before she was born on March 25, 2005.

The African indoor record of 50.73 seconds was established in 1998, while the LSU program record of 50.92 seconds dates back to 2005.

“At the age of 20, senior Ella Onojuvwevwo is now the second-fastest African ever across the indoor 400m at 50.96 seconds.

The African record of 50.73 seconds (‘98) and LSU record of 50.92 seconds (‘05) that she is eyeing were both set before she was born,” LSU Track & Field posted on its Facebook page in celebration.

With the outdoor season ahead, Onojuvwevwo’s pursuit of records older than herself has become one of the most compelling storylines in collegiate and African athletics.