Rising Jamaican sprint star Brianna Lyston was unable to defend her NCAA National 60m title at the NCAA National Indoor Track and Field Championships in Virginia Beach on Saturday after withdrawing from the final due to a tight hamstring, her coach has confirmed.

Lyston, who has been among the fastest collegiate sprinters this season with a 7.13-second performance at the SEC Championships earlier this year, clocked 7.17 seconds in her semi-final heat to finish second and secure a spot in the championship race. Her time was the joint fifth-fastest heading into the final. However, when the sprinters lined up for the title showdown, Lyston was noticeably absent.

Her coach, Dennis Shaver, later confirmed to Sportsmax.TV that the decision to pull her from the race was a precautionary measure to prevent a potential injury.

"She had a tight hamstring, and we made the decision not to risk serious injury," Shaver explained.

Lyston also indirectly confirmed on her Instagram, posting "Be back soon" suggesting that the injury will soon be behind her.

With Lyston out, the final saw USC’s Dajaz Defrand claim victory in a personal best 7.09 seconds, edging out Oregon’s Jadyn Mays (7.12) and Georgia’s Kaila Jackson (7.15), who rounded out the podium.

Lyston’s absence was a significant blow to LSU’s sprint hopes, as the defending champion was considered a strong contender to retain her title. However, with the outdoor season approaching, the coaching staff prioritized her long-term fitness over immediate competition.

Her next moves will be closely monitored, as she remains one of Jamaica’s most promising young athletes on the path to elite sprinting success.