Tulane track and field delivered record-breaking performances at both the LSU Battle on the Bayou in Baton Rouge and the Stanford Invitational last weekend in California. Sophomore Taylor Potts set a school record in the shot put, highlighting the Wave’s excellent weekend.

Potts recorded a first place throw of 15.27 meters in the shot put Saturday in Baton Rouge. She broke the school record by one-tenth of a meter surpassing former record-holder Helmi Leppanen. Potts now holds the school record for both indoor and outdoor shot put.

The American Athletic Conference named Potts Field Athlete of the Week for her performance. 

“I feel great, and I’m really happy to have performed that way,” Potts said.  “I’ve worked hard all season, and I knew I had it in me.”

Track and field director Eric Peterson said Potts and the team’s overall strong performance was a promising omen.

“It’s very encouraging and impressive to have such early season marks,” Peterson said. “The team has a bright future, and I’m confident it will continue throughout the season.”

Junior Devon Breaux, senior Katerina Vodova, redshirt freshman Moses Aloiloi, redshirt sophomore Daliadiz Ortiz and senior Jessica Knierim also gave strong performances and won titles in their respective events. 

Breaux recorded a long jump mark of 7.38 meters (24 feet 2.5 inches) for first place at the LSU Battle on the Bayou, earning his first event title of the year. His mark is two centimeters longer than his mark at last week’s Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Invitational in Atlanta.

The American Athletic Conference named Breaux Field Athlete of the Week following the event in Baton Rouge.

Aloiloi ran a time of 15:18.63 in the 5,000-meter race to win his first title in the event and his third event title this season. 

“We are trying to develop a balanced team where we have outstanding athletes in every area of both track and field,” Peterson said. “It doesn’t surprise me at all that on this particular day we saw really strong mark from our field even athletes.”

Senior Michelle Kreutzberg, junior Lilla McMillan and sophomore Chris Lowery recorded reputable results in California, with Lowery winning the 800-meter with a time of 1:51.53.

“It’s always a challenge when you split the squad up and have athletes compete at two different venues, especially ones as far away as Palo Alto, California and Baton Rouge,” Peterson said. “However, I’m really happy with the way both groups managed themselves.”

Tulane returns with a full team next weekend in Gulf Shores, Alabama for the South Alabama Invitational.