Gilbert Rono set a new program record in the mile as Tulane’s indoor track and field team opened competition at two events on Friday: the David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston and the Music City Challenge in Nashville.
At Boston University’s Track and Tennis Center, Rono ran the mile in 4:01.61, breaking Tulane’s men’s indoor program record. He finished 33rd overall in the event. In addition to his performance in the mile, Rono also achieved a personal best of 8:10.70 in the 3,000 meters, placing 83rd.
Silas Kiptanui placed ninth in the 5,000 meters with a time of 13:38.75, which is now second-best all-time for Tulane men’s indoor track. Bernard Cheruiyot finished close behind him at 12th place with a mark of 13:41.21.
In Nashville at Vanderbilt’s Multipurpose Facility, Zaria Parker qualified for Saturday’s semifinals after running sixth overall in the preliminaries of the women’s 60 meters with a time of 7.57 seconds—just shy of her personal best. Parker also finished third in the women’s 200 meters at 24.28 seconds, nearly matching her top previous performance.
Sofie Groeninger recorded a high jump mark of 1.59 meters to finish seventh; Alyssa Dismuke set a new personal best with a weight throw distance of 10.68 meters.
Both meets continue on Saturday before Tulane turns its focus to next week’s LSU Twilight meet scheduled for February 20 in Baton Rouge.
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