Tulane University
at Meyo Invitational
Track and Field Runs Well at Meyo Invitational
Feb 3, 2007 | Cross Country & Track
Feb. 3, 2007
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The eyes of track and field coach Heather Van Norman were smiling this weekend as the Green Wave put together an impressive showing at the prestigious Meyo Invitational at Notre Dame's Loftus Sports Center this weekend.
Once again, senior Gloria Asumnu led the way for the Green Wave, recording the best time in the preliminaries of the 60-meter dash and besting the field of 46 by over 0.1 seconds. Asumnu won the finals with a school-record 7.39 seconds, her third provisionally qualifying mark in the event this year.
Van Norman said Asumnu's work on the technical aspects of her events were evident in her performance.
"Gloria's practices have really been stepped up in the last weeek," Van Norman said. "If this continues, she will continue to improve."
Freshman Olivia Kizzee also advanced to the finals in the 60-meter dash, setting a season best with her time of 7.81 seconds in the preliminary heats, and then topping that with a 7.74-second run in the finals. For her efforts, Kizzee finished 10th in the event.
Asumnu and Kizzee were among several Tulane athletes who excelled in the 200-meter dash. In her first 200-meter race of the season, Asumnu's time of 24.11 was good for second in the event. In addition, Kizzee and junior Kyra Lobbins set personal bests in the event, even after adjusting for the facility's oversized track.
Van Norman said she has been impressed with Kizzee's performance throughout the season.
"Since I have been at Tulane, I have had two Conference USA Freshmen of the Year," she said. "I would not be surprised if Olivia follows."
Junior Shanon Beelendorf also turned in strong showings in her two events. In the 300-meter dash Friday, Beelendorf took home fourth place in a field of 28 with a time of 40.08 seconds. Beelendorf then took ninth place in the 400-meter dash, with sophomore Vanessa Kienast setting a collegiate best.
"Shanon had a breakthrough," Van Norman said. "This year, she has become more serious about her sport and her events. She has the ability to be one of our finest track athletes, as she continues to gain confidence each meet."
Junior Aubrey Phillips, the lone distance runner for Tulane at the invitational, also displayed significant improvement. Her time of 10:17.34 represented a 15-second improvement over her personal best in the event set at the Arkansas State Kickoff Klassic in December.
"Aubrey has worked hard since the summer," Van Norman said. "I am happy to see her improve."
Tulane's track team will again be far from New Orleans next weekend as it sends members to Boise, Idaho, for the Boise Invitational and to Ames, Iowa, for the Iowa State Classic.
Here are the results from the meet:
60-METER DASH
PRELIMINARIES
1. Gloria Asumnu, 7.46
11. Olivia Kizzee, 7.81
18. Shaina Pelham, 7.90
23. Kyra Lobbins, 7.94
24. Taneekwa Ross, 7.94
FINALS
1. Gloria Asumnu, 7.39 (School Record)
10. Olivia Kizzee, 7.74 (Personal Best)
200-METER DASH
2. Gloria Asumnu, 24.11
13. Olivia Kizzee, 25.15 (Personal Best)
17. Shaina Pelham, 25.25
25. Kyra Lobbins, 25.47 (Personal Best)
40. Taneekwa Ross, 26.45
300-METER DASH
4. Shanon Beelendorf, 40.08
7. Olivia Kizzee, 40.19
8. Kyra Lobbins, 40.34
27. Taneekwa Ross, 44.24
400-METER DASH
9. Shanon Beelendorf, 55.83
33. Vanessa Kienast, 1:00.97 (Season Best)
500-METER DASH
26. Vanessa Kienast, 1:20.35
3,000-METER RUN
35. Aubrey Phillips, 10:17.34 (Personal Best)
For complete results from the Meyo Invitational, click here.
--Roll Wave--
Players Mentioned
