PALO ALTO, Calif. - A very strong showing from seniors Tiffanie Smith and Candice St Etienne and freshmenKayla Quincy and Lilla McMillan in the Tulane women's 4 x 400 meter relay team highlighted Day Two of the Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif., for the Green Wave track and field program.
The quartet won their heat - and placed fifth overall - in the event by posting a time of 3:44.01.
"That's a time we typically run towards the end of the season, so to run it at this point is certainly encouraging," said Tulane director of track and field Eric Peterson of his relay squad. "To have the leadership of Tiffanie Smith, who had a very strong meet, along with Candice, in addition to two young sprinters in Lilla and Kayla is why this team performed well."
The win in their heat did not come without drama, as Quincy - who anchored the team - was passed during the last turn by a competitor. However, Quincy was able to regain the lead in the home stretch.
"It certainly made for an exciting finish," added Peterson. The time from the team is a season best for Tulane during this outdoor season.
For just the second time this season, redshirt sophomore Estefany Cruz took part in the triple jump, as she competed in the invitational division of the meet, notching a jump of 12.56 meters (41' 2.5"). While she placed fifth in the event, she had the second best jump by a collegiate athlete behind only Candace Alvarez of Hawaii.
"Estefany jumped well," added Peterson. "She has worked hard since the completion of the indoor season to get strong and regain her rhythm and timing, and I thought today was a very promising start for her."
Another interesting performance on the day came from the men's side, where a trio of Green Wave football players teamed up with a seasoned track veteran to compete in the 4 x 100 meter relay. Sophomore Justyn Shackleford and Xavier Rush, freshman Devon Breaux and senior Jon Frano ran the event in 42.48 seconds, a time good enough for eighth place in school history.
"It's the first time this team has run as a unit," said Peterson. "It's also the first time that Devon has received and passed the baton during a relay, as he always lead his relay team off in high school. We have to develop on passing the stick, but the talent is there. We were hoping that they would do better, but we have a lot of hope for this team in the future."
Breaux made his Tulane track and field debut yesterday, long jumping 7.10m (23' 3.5"). He - along with Shackleford and Rush - recently wrapped up their football duties when the spring season ended.
In addition to Breaux's performance, two school records were broken in day one when sophomore Merritt Van Meter pole vaulted 3.98 meters (13' 0.75") and sophomore Thomas Lynch threw the discus 51.81 meters (170' 0).
Next up for the Green Wave track and field team is a trip to Tempe, Ariz., where the squad will compete in the Sun Angel Invitational.
You can follow the Tulane track and field programs on Twitter (@GreenWaveXCTF) or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TulaneXCTF.
RESULTS FOR THE STANFORD INVITATIONAL
Women
200 Meter Dash
24. Lilla McMillan, 25.02
4 x 400 Meter Relay
5. Tulane (St. Etienne, T. Smith, McMillan, Quincy) 3:44.01
Pole Vault
t-6. Jessica Knierim, 3.53m (11' 7")
9. Joanna Lapucha, 3.53m (11' 7")
Triple Jump
5. Estefany Cruz, 12.56m (41' 2.5")
10. Briana Santiago, 11.88m (38' 11.75")
--Tamika Brazzel, FOUL
Men
4 x 100 Meter Relay
13. Tulane, 42.48 (Rush, Breaux, Shackleford, Frano)