The Tulane track and field team concluded a weekend of split competition on April 19, participating in both the Tom Tellez Alumni Invitational in Houston and the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, California. The team faced weather challenges in Houston but still managed to achieve notable performances.
The significance of these meets lies in providing athletes with opportunities to set personal records and secure spots on Tulane’s all-time performance lists.
At the Carl Lewis International Complex, inclement weather forced organizers to cut short several events at the Tom Tellez Alumni Invitational, including the men’s 200-meter race where five Tulane athletes were scheduled to compete. Despite this setback, Sofie Groeninger delivered a shot put throw of 14.04 meters, moving her into fourth place on Tulane’s all-time leaderboard for that event. Nahema Dumonteil Cabanas won the women’s 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:00.75. In other events, Marissa Gordon led three Tulane runners in the women’s 200 meters with a time of 24.69 seconds, while Brianna Brand finished at 24.99 seconds and Bella Carroll at 25.32 seconds. The relay team comprising Carroll, Brand, Cosette Fleury, and Gordon placed fourth in the women’s 4×100 meter relay.
In California at the Bryan Clay Invitational, Allison Hall opened competition for Tulane by finishing with a time of 4:49.23 in her heat of the women’s open C race. Jasper Newton achieved sixth place in her section with a time of 4:28.77—now tenth fastest ever by a Tulane athlete—while Blezzin Kimutai completed her race in 4:32.41 for thirty-second place among competitors there.
Elena Liano-Rengel ran one of Tulane’s top five times ever (4:23.61) during her appearance at the women’s invitational event; Gilbert Rono also moved into third on program history lists after running his men’s invitational race in 3:45:02.
Looking ahead, Tulane is scheduled to compete next Saturday at LSU Alumni Gold held April 25 in Baton Rouge.
