Guyana's Marian Burnette gave herself a fitting birthday gift by becoming the first Louisiana State University (LSU) women's 800 metres champion in the South Eastern Conference (SEC) indoor athletics championships in 13 years, on the United States circuit.

Last weekend at the University of Arkansas' Randal Tyson track,

Burnette who celebrated her 26th birthday last Saturday, won a tactically brilliant race to win in 2 minutes 06.20 seconds from a strong field which reportedly included four of the circuit's best half milers, on Sunday, LSU's website reported.

The win justified Burnette's number one NCAA indoor season ranking in the 800m, in only her first season in first division competition since taking up a scholarship with LSU last September.

The Linden-born Guyana Police Force runner, reportedly hung with the lead pack for 600 metres then made her move with 150m to go when she took the lead and maintained it to the line.

Not since 1989 when Sylvia Brudson won the event, had a LSU competitor triumphed in the women's SEC 800 metres.

The win was the fourth for Burnette in the 800 metres so far this indoor season. Kristina Bratton of Florida was second in 2:06.65 and Nicole Cook of Tennessee third in 2:06.92.

Burnette's efforts which also included a fourth place finish in the women's 4X400 metres relay, helped LSU women place third overall in the competition.

Grenada's Alleyne Francique was also in fine form for LSU as he cracked the NCAA all time men's indoor 400 metres record

by winning the event in 45.35 seconds. Francique, a 400m finalist at last year's World Athletics Championships in Canada, bettered the previous best mark of 45.37 set by Andrew Pierce of Ohio State last year.