Women's Track and Field Sets New Marks in 2021 Season Opener

Saturday, January 16

Houston, Texas

Tulane University

H-Town Speedcity Series

Women's Track and Field Sets New Marks in 2021 Season Opener

Jan 16, 2021 | Track & Field

Full Results

HOUSTON —The Tulane women's track and field team began their indoor season with a strong showing at the first meet of the H-Town Speedcity Series hosted by the University of Houston.

"There are a lot of new challenges that everyone is dealing with this season, but I am really proud of our team and the way everyone stayed focused and excited," director of cross country and track and field Eric Peterson said. "In spite of the challenges, we had some really great finishes with new school records and personal bests. We had some athletes coming back to compete for the first time in a couple of years because of injuries and some athletes competed for the first time with us."

The morning started with power in the field events when three events were won by the Green Wave.

In her Green Wave debut, Danielle Line came in second place in the weight throw with a distance of 15.92m earning her a fourth-place spot in the Tulane record book.

Freshman Melisa Toilolo secured a fifth-place finish in the shot put with a distance of 12.74m which was good for a sixth-place spot on Tulane's all-time list in her first collegiate meet. Migle Muraskaite followed in sixth place in the same event with a distance of 12.66m while earning a seventh-place spot in Tulane's record book in what was also her first meet representing Green Wave.

The Green Wave put on a great show in the women's high jump, as junior Olivia Hicks won with a distance of 1.62m and Kristen O'Handley matched in second with 1.62m as they tied for eighth place on Tulane's all-time chart.

Kristina Leggas won the pole vault with a height of 3.70m to add to the Wave's victories on the day.

Trina Malej earned the top spot in the women's triple jump with a winning distance of 12.22m.

Later in the afternoon, the Green Wave conquered the running events with five victories. Hunter Robinson clinched a first-place finish in 400m with a time of 56.91. Nicole Phanuef set a personal record of 10:44.90 in the 3000m and finished fourth.

Kyah Loyd qualified for the 60m hurdles final with a time of 8.79 before earning the win with a time of 8.67 seconds. Aldriana Dupree qualified for the 60m finals with a time of 7.86 before taking first place with a time of 7.72 seconds.

The Tulane distance medley relay team placed first with a competitive time of 12:59.96 seconds.

The meet finished off for the Olive and Blue with a breathtaking win in the 4x400 with a time of 3:52.89, In the last leg, Robinson shot forward in the last half of her stretch to earn the win by one-tenth of a second.

"I am excited, and we are in a really good place," Peterson said. "Our team is healthy, really upbeat and enthusiastic about the opportunities we have in the future. We are coming home feeling very good about ourselves."

Tulane competes again in two weeks on Saturday, January 30 when they travel back to Houston for the second meet of the H-Town Speedcity Series.