March 28, 2003
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue's Igor Kirin, Keith McBride, Scott Hecht and John Paul Smolenski swept the top four spots in the hammer throw Friday at the outdoor season-opening Purdue Invitational. All four of the Boilermakers' efforts were good enough to qualify them for the NCAA Regional Championships in June.
Kirin led the quartet with an effort of 60.52 meters (198 feet, 7 inches) with McBride finishing close behind at 60.05 ( 197-0). Hecht recorded a new personal best of 58.43 (191-8), which kept him at fifth on the school's all-time best list. Smolenski also posted a career best of 58.28 (191-2).
Hecht later scored a first-place showing in the shot put, recording a mark of 16.34 (53-11).
Courtney Magnuson and Tiffany Britten swept the top two spots in their hammer throw. Magnuson easily defeated the 12-person field with a first-place mark of 45.41 (148-11), while teammate Britten placed second at 39.26 (128-10). Britten also placed second in the shot put (13.77, 45-2 1/4), finishing behind unattached competitor Ade Oshinowo.
Purdue's long distance runners managed to produce some impressive results despite the adverse conditions. Kara Lahey recorded the school's second fastest time ever in the 3,000 meter steeplechase with a first-place time of 11:35.36. David Rae won the men's steeplechase in 9:40.35, beating out runner-up Nick Bruckbauer by nearly 15 seconds.
The Boilermakers finished the day by grabbing the top two spots in both the men's and women's 10,000 meter run. Laura Brandner (39:34.68) and Christan Bahler (39:41.14) took top honors for the women and Robert Heise (32:04.48) and Jason Carlson (32:06.85) accomplished the same feat for the men.
In the day's lone jump, Derek Watkins easily placed first in the triple jump after reaching a distance of 14.15 (46-5 1/4).
Saturday's events begin at 11 a.m. with the women's and men's javelin throws. The first track event, women's 5,000, will commence at 12 p.m.