May 3, 2003
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue women's track & field team dropped a 110-86 decision to the Indiana Hoosiers Saturday afternoon at Rankin Track and Field. The Boilermakers, led by senior Simona Kovacic, showed their strength in the pole vault competition, capturing the top-three spots.
Kovacic's winning mark of 3.81 meters (12 feet, 6 inches) was a full six inches higher than that of teammates' Amy Spellmeyer and Megan Darraugh, who both cleared the bar at 3.66m (12-0). The closest Indiana competitor was Emily Tharpe, who finished fourth at 3.51m (11-6 1/4).
Senior Megan McNeilly also ended her home career on a winning note. McNeilly finished first in the 800, coming across the finish line in 2:11.54, the fastest time of any Purdue female athlete this season. McNeilly started the season finishing as high as 2:18.00 and as late as last weekend, was still clocking times well above the 2:14.00 mark. Her previous season best was 2:12.85, which she recorded at the Miami (Ohio) Invitational.
Krissy Liphardt completed her career at Rankin with a victory. The senior easily skated past IU's Kate O'Connor and teammate Shannon Kelley in the 400 hurdles, finishing in 1:00.67, which was nearly four seconds ahead of O'Connor.
The Purdue women added a few more members to its NCAA regional qualifying club when Kara Lahey and Courtney Magnuson both reached qualifying marks in their respective events. Lahey finished third in the 3,000 meter steeplechase at 10:49.45, just a few seconds behind teammate Amber Ferner (10:47.54), who qualified for regionals during the first weekend of the outdoor season.
Magnuson's winning effort in the hammer throw of 53.27m (174-09) made her the 27th Boilermaker to qualify for regionals. The junior's throw is a new season best; her previous high of 48.68 (161-6) was set at the Boilermaker Invitational on April 25.
Carrie Long and Tiffany Britten once again reached qualifying marks. Long placed first in the high jump, with a leap of 1.70m (5-7) and Britten captured second in the shot put, recording a launch of 14.62m (47-11 3/4). Britten's throw, a career best, was just .1m (1/4 inch) short of tying the school record set by Stacy Hartman in May of 1985.
Purdue's next meet is on Friday, May 9 for the Illinois Twilight Meet in Champaign, Ill. On Saturday, May 10, the Boilermakers head south to Bloomington, Ind., for the Billy Hayes Invitational.