Throwers Lead the Way for T&F at Seminole Twilight

May 10, 2014

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - While a small contingent of Tulane track and field athletes competed at the Seminole Twilight in Tallahassee, Fla., late Friday evening, some posted big results, including redshirt freshman javelin thrower Daliadiz Ortiz, who continued her torrid pace heading into the postseason stretch.

Ortiz has continued her growth, as she notched a new personal-best throw of 49.94 meters (163-10) in the javelin, placing first on the day, as her last throw allowed her to earn the event title. She bested hometown thrower and Chelsea Whalen, who sits at ninth in the NCAA East Regional Qualifiers - by nine centimeters. Ortiz now sits at 15th in the NCAA East Regional Qualifying list, as she picked up her fifth event title on the year.

"Dali continues to lead the conference and she is competing well," stated Tulane track and field directorEric Peterson. "She is going to look to improve on putting together a string of solid throws as we head into conference championships. But, she's a winner. She will find a way to win. Regardless of how it gets done, she is getting it done. I'm happy for her. She continues to improve."

In addition to Ortiz, another thrower for the Green Wave had a consistent outing, as freshman shot putterTaylor Potts posted another solid outing, as the Fishers, Ind., native was just six centimeters short of her personal best that she set last weekend with a throw of 14.82 meters (48-7.5). She placed third on the evening in the event.

The throwers weren't the only highlights of the day, as three runners on the men's side recorded new personal bests in their respective events.

Sophomore Jack White notched a new top mark in the 800 meters with a third-place finish of 1:52.52. The Fairfield, Conn., moved into sixth place in the event in Tulane history, and the time would move him to tenth in the league standings should no one else move up this weekend, as well.

Sophomore Nicholas Meloro crushed his 3,000 meter steeplechase top mark for the third-straight outing, as he placed third in the event with a time of 9:43.54. Meloro has shaved off close to 45 seconds in the event since the start of the 2014 season.

"Nicholas has been steadily improving, and I hope it continues for one final race at the conference championships," added Peterson.

Freshman sprinter Richard Allen also had a nice day on the track, as the rookie posted a time of 21.79 in the 200 meter dash, a new personal best. Allen finished in 11th place in the event.

The Green Wave will have their biggest competition to date of the outdoor season next week, as they will travel to Houston for the Conference USA Outdoor Championships that run from Thursday, May 15, through Sunday, May 18.

"This was a small meet for us, and our sights are now set squarely on our preparations for the Conference USA Outdoor Championships," stated Peterson.

Fans can follow the Tulane track and field programs on Twitter (@GreenWaveXCTF) or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TulaneXCTF.

Tulane Results for the Florida State Seminole Twilight

Women

Women's 200m Dash
7. Lilla McMillan, 24.22
11. Hilary Woods, 24.93

Women's 400m Dash
12. Hilary Woods, 56.31

Women's 100m High Hurdles
13. Dominique Hever, 15.09

Women's 400m Intermediate Hurdles
11. Dominique Hever, 1:08.06 
13. Madison Smith, 1:10.08

Women's Shot Put
3. Taylor Potts, 14.82m (48-7.5)

Women's Discus Throw
10. Cheyenne Swanson, 35.43 (116-03)

Women's Hammer Throw
7. Cheyenne Swanson, 36.18m (118-08)

Women's Javelin
1. Daliadiz Ortiz, 49.94m (163-10) *

Men

Men's 100m Dash
12. Richard Allen, 10.79

Men's 200m Dash
11. Richard Allen, 21.79 *

Men's 400m Dash
12. John Mouton, 49.41
20. Christopher Arechiga, 50.40

Men's 800m Run
3. Jack White, 1:52.52 *

3,000 Meter Steeplechase
3. Nicholas Meloro, 9:43.54 *

Men's Shot Put
7. Eldrick Washington, 14.24m (46-8.75)

Men's Discus Throw
7. Thomas Lynch, 43.53m (142-10)

*=Personal Best

"Taylor was great, and I'm so excited for her," mentioned Peterson. "She's been one of our more consistent competitors on the season. These last two meets have been great for her. She's positioned herself nicely for the postseason."