Feb. 13, 2003
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue track and field team will hit the road for a weekend of action at the Armory Collegiate Invitational in New York. The two-day meet begins at 9:30 a.m. Friday and wraps up on Saturday evening. The Old Gold and Black will participate in the Championship Division, which is the invitation-only division of the meet.
The competition will be stiff for Purdue, who this week moved into the No. 9 spot in the Trackwire men's national rankings. It is the first time in the history of the program the Boilermakers have broken the top 10.
Also joining the Championship Division of the meet will be Alabama men and women, Georgetown men and women, Houston men and women, LSU men and women, Maryland women, Michigan State women, North Carolina men and women, Princeton men, Seton Hall men and women, South Carolina men and women, Tennessee men and women, Texas men, Villanova men and women and Wisconsin women.
For the men, several key matchups have been determined by the Armory Foundation. Purdue's Shaun Guice will face Adam Shunk of North Carolina, as the two battle it out for the No. 1 high jump spot in the nation. Currently, both men are tied with a season-best jump of 7'4.5". Jamar Green will face the No. 1-ranked long jumper in the nation in John Moffitt of LSU and Kenneth Baxter will return to New York to compete in front of a large contingency of family and friends. Baxter is currently ranked No. 2 in the country in the 200 meter dash and will face the No. 3 man, Robert Parham of LSU.
For the women, depth will be the Boilermakers' strong point. Fans should look for Kim Jordan, Kelly Van Abeele and Ragina Harvey to lead the way in the middle distance and sprints, while the pole vaulting crew is always at the top of it's competition. Seniors Katie Rorem, Amy Spellmeyer and Simona Kovacic should turn in solid performances for the Old Gold and Black.
Complete results can be found at www.armorytrack.com following the competition.
-P-