May 15, 2003
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Following a five hour bus trip from Madison, Wis. to Minneapolis, Purdue's track and field teams began final preparations Thursday at the University of Minnesota's Bierman Track and Field. The Boilermakers were greeted to the Twin Cities by warm temperatures and a host of Big Ten opposition.
Purdue's teams were able to take over University of Wisconsin's outdoor facility on Wednesday, but were forced to share the Minnesota track with Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Michigan during a two-hour practice session.
Thursday's practice was a bit more advanced. Many of the runners spent time testing the track, the pole vaulters sized up the runways and pits while the high jumpers searched for a suitable starting point.
Temperatures on the track were quite warm, reaching the mid-70's under partly cloudy skies, which is how the weather is expected to remain through the weekend.
Bierman Track and Field, judged by distance coach Mike Poehlein as one of the finest facilities in the Big Ten, features 10 running lanes, multiple field event areas, grandstand seating and scoreboard. Minnesota is expecting a near-capacity crowd for the three-day tournament, which starts Friday at 12 p.m. with the decathlon 100-meter dash. The heptathlon, men's and women's hammer throw, women's pole vault and the 10,000 are also part of first day activities.
Full-session tickets are currently on sale, with single-day passes being available starting Friday morning. Tickets can be purchased through Minnesota's athletics web site at www.gophersports.com. For complete access to an official conference meet preview and records, track and field fans can access www.BigTen.org and click on the outdoor track and field link.