May 15, 2003
MADISON, Wis. - The long bus trip from West Lafayette to the Big Ten Outdoor Championships started Wednesday afternoon for the Purdue track and field teams. This year's Boilermaker convoy to the conference meet at the University of Minnesota consists of 53 student athletes, eight coaches and two trainers.
Facing more than 10 hours on the interstate, the teams planned for an overnight stop Wednesday in Madison, Wis., home of the University of Wisconsin Badgers. The Boilermakers will depart for Minneapolis Thursday at 9 a.m.
The teams practiced lightly at the Badgers' outdoor track facility for about two hours after surviving the first of many tedious bus trips. Heavy rains swept through the upper Midwest prior to Purdue's arrival at the track, bringing with it a small cold front, which dropped temperatures into the mid 50's.
Weather conditions in Minneapolis for the three-day championship meet, which begins Friday, are expected to be glorious with temperatures hovering in the low-70's under partly cloudy skies.
Most of Wednesday's practice session was spent loosening and stretching, particularly the sprinters and hurdlers; however, some athletes did spend the entire allotted time fine-tuning their techniques and motions. Throws coach John Zera oversaw his crew practicing discus and shot put tosses; distance mentor Mike Poehlein worked with his runners on the steeplechase hurdles while sprints coach Monica Gary tutored her relay teams.
Upon arriving in the "land of 10,000 lakes" Thursday afternoon the teams will pace themselves through another two hour practice session at Minnesota's outdoor track venue.
The Big Ten Championships commence Friday at 12 p.m. with the decathlon 100-meter dash. Closing ceremonies are scheduled for Sunday at 4:30 p.m.