Track, field shatters school records at Baylor Invitational

Jordan Figueredo, Print Sports Editor

Tulane track and field traveled to Clyde Hart Track and Field Stadium in Waco, Texas for the Baylor Invitational. Both the men and women’s team had strong showings, breaking several personal bests and school records.

The Wave ended the one-day event winning two event titles alongside a few top finishes against some of the best schools in the country. Women’s throwers redshirt junior Daliadiz Ortiz and junior Laruschka Joubert took gold and silver in javelin with marks of 45.37 meters and 44.16 meters respectively.

Sophomore Jacqueline Esmay came in fourth for the hammer throw with a second best for her personal record with 52.15m. Senior long jumper Tamika Brazzel and junior pole vaulter Mary Carson Pitts also had strong showings over the weekend. While senior sprinter Lilla McMillan came in second in the 400-meter dash with a time of 52.23.

When it came to long distance, senior Jessica Adamson came in fourth in the 1,500m run and redshirt freshman Lauren Bartels recorded a season-best time of 10:26.32 in the 3,000 meter run.

“Both Lilla and Dali came back from somewhat disappointing performances at the Florida Relays,” track and field director Eric Peterson said. “That’s significant for us to have athletes of that caliber bounce back from an off week.”

It wasn’t just the women who had a successful weekend; the men’s team also had several highlights.

In his first year with the Wave, freshman Emmanuel Rotich secured himself a spot in Tulane record books for the 3,000-meter run earning a time of 8:25.22. Rotich ousted former record holder Eric Thronson who recorded a time of 8:32.12 in 1998. Redshirt sophomore Moses Aloiloi took second in this race with a time of 8:33.11.

Senior Jack White in the 800-meter run and the 1,500-meter run also scored season bests. The 1,500-meter run was also a personal best for White who had a time of 3:53.80.

“Emmanuel and Moses were outstanding in the 3,000 meter run,” Peterson said. “Jack White also had a really good day. The middle and long distance runner carried the day on the men’s side. All of this gives us something to really look forward to as we move onto the rest of the season.”

Track and field will now divide into three groups for their upcoming events. The teams will travel to various parts of the country Thursday through Saturday. Upcoming events are the Mt. SAC Relays, the Long Beach Invitational and the Southeastern Louisiana Invitational.

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