The American Conference announced on Mar. 31 the results of its preseason outdoor track and field coaches polls, with Tulane University’s women’s team ranked fourth and the men’s team predicted to finish seventh.
The poll provides an early outlook for the conference’s outdoor track and field season, offering insight into how teams are expected to perform based on coaches’ assessments. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams in this process.
Charlotte was named the favorite on the women’s side, earning five first-place votes and a total of 137 points. North Texas followed closely in second place with seven first-place votes but slightly fewer points at 135. Rice secured third place with one first-place vote and 117 points, while Tulane placed fourth with 102 points. On the men’s side, South Florida led with seven first-place votes and 78 points. Wichita State (two first-place votes) and Charlotte (one) rounded out the top three men’s teams.
Tulane has already participated in two meets this outdoor season: the Louisiana Classics and Raleigh Relays. Notable performances include Zaria Parker’s time of 11.76 seconds in the women’s 100 meters, ranking seventh all-time at Tulane; Nahema Dumonteil Cabanas’ mark of 1:00.69 in the women’s 400-meter hurdles for eighth all-time; Alex Sharp’s third-best program mark in the women’s steeplechase; Cara Salsberry’s discus throw that ranks third best at Tulane; Gilbert Rono’s performance in the men’s 1,500 meters for seventh all-time; and Silas Kiptanui finishing as runner-up in last week’s men’s steeplechase—his time is currently second nationally and globally this season.
Returning champions from last year include Bernard Cheruiyot, who won gold medals in both men’s long-distance events as well as being named American Outdoor Men’s Freshman of the Year for 2025; Silas Kiptanui (steeplechase winner); Illia Kunin (1,500 meters); Blezzin Kimutai (women’s distance double champion); and Sofie Groeninger (heptathlon shot put winner).
Tulane will continue its campaign this weekend at Texas State University during a three-day event beginning April 2.
