May 9, 2003
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The team awards have already been presented, but the Purdue track and field squads still have a great deal of work left ahead of them before they can call this season a success. The outdoor campaign's stretch run begins Sunday, May 11 at Indiana's Billy Hayes Invitational, a warmup meet for the upcoming Big Ten Championships.
"This meet will serve as a very rigourous training day for all our athletes," said Purdue head coach Lissa Olson. "Normally, our toughest practice is held on Monday, but since we leave for Big Ten's on Wednesday, this invite will serve as its replacement."
Purdue's sprinters are expected to carry a bulk of the workload, particularly Jamar Green and Prentice Stovall who find themselves entered in four events, including the 4x100 and 4x400 meter relays. This trio is also part of a large Purdue contigency in the 200 dash, which also features Kenneth Baxter, Joey Harris and Dedrick Tillerson.
Additionally, Green and Stovall will compete in their primary events, the long jump (Green) and 110 hurdles (Stovall).
Sunday's meet, which begins at 11 a.m., will act as a final wake-up call for sprinters Harris and Jerod Void, who've missed much of the outdoor season with spring football. Harris, who has just one outdoor meet under his belt, recently saw his workload increase after Jacques Reeves came down with flu-like symptoms this past week. Since the Big Ten Athlete of the Week isn't at 100-percent, Harris will substitute for his teammate as the third leg of the 4x100 team.
According to coach Olson, Baxter's season starts Sunday. The junior, who has been largely responsible for Purdue's success in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays, has limited his indivdual performances to just a handful of meets. Sunday's invite will mark the first time this season that Baxter has competed independently in back-to-back weeks. Against Indiana last Saturday, Baxter raced the 200, 400 and 4x100, and will handle the 100, 200 and 4x100 in Bloomington.
The women's team isn't easing up as it heads down the homestretch with LaShauna Harris, Gina Harvey, Krissy Liphardt and Shanette Stewart entered in three or more events apiece. Harris and Stewart are featured in the 100 and 200, as well as the 4x100; Liphardt is expected to see time in both relays and hurdle events, while Harvey attempts to compete at full-strength in the 200, 400 and 4x400. Harvey missed last weekend's Indiana dual with a minor injury.
Kim Jordan also is coming off the Purdue disabled list. Jordan, who hasn't raced since April 18, is slated to compete in the 800 and run anchor for the 4x400 team.
For many of the female Boilermakers, the Hayes Invite provides a final opportuinty to qualify for the NCAA Regional Championships. Among those incredibly close to breaking into the regional championship field are Liphardt (100 hurdles), Harvey (200, 400), Jordan (800), Harris (100, 200) and Stewart (100); all of them are less than a second away from qualifying in their respective events.
Purdue brings close to a full roster for all field competitions. The only notable omissions are throwers Keith McBride and Nedzad Mulabegovic who are both resting their injuries in preparation for the Big Ten's. All distance runners were given the weekend off.
The 25th Billy Hayes Invitational features a number of regional programs such as Louisville, Miami (Ohio), Indiana State, Ball State and Southern Illinois, club teams Nashville Elite and Indiana Invaders, and smaller institutions including Lewis University, Ferris State, Findlay and IPFW. Select competitiors from Marshall and Southeast Missouri will also compete.
The 2003 Big Ten Outdoor Championships, hosted by the University of Minnesota, begins Friday, May 16 and run through Sunday, May 18. Tickets are currently on sale through the Minnesota Athletic Department's web site at www.gophersports.com.