March 26, 2004
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Several Boilermakers exceled during the first day of competition at the Purdue Invitational, the outdoor home opener for the Old Gold and Black. The non-scoring meet was highlighted by a number of home victories, as several Boilermakers posted NCAA regional qualifying marks.
Tiffany Britten led her field in the shot put, recording a NCAA regional qualifying mark of 47 feet, 2 1/2 inches (14.39 meters). During the outdoor season, track and field competitors must qualify for the NCAA Regional Championships in order to advance to the national championship meet in June. The United States is broken down into four regions: East, Mideast, Midwest and West; the Boilermakers will compete in the Mideast regional in Baton Rouge, La., May 28 and 29.
The Boilermakers captured the top three spots in the men's shot put, with Nedzad Mulabegovic leading the pack with a regional qualifying push of 60-8 (18.49). Scott Hecht also posted a regional mark with his second-place throw of 59-1 1/4; freshman Tyler Miller placed third with a mark of 49-3 1/2.
Four Boilermakers hit the regional standard in the hammer throw: Igor Kirin, John Paul Smolenski, Keith McBride and Hecht. Kirin established a personal record with his second-place launch of 205-3, Smolenski came in third at 203-9, McBride placed fourth with a 199-2 and Hecht took fifth at 196-0.
In the women's hammer throw Courtney Magnuson was Purdue's top finisher with a third-place mark of 49.81; Britten placed fourth at 47.21.
Distance runner Kara Lahey also will be competing in Louisiana, as she beat the regional standard of 10:57.18 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Lahey finished far ahead of the pack with a time of 10:45.60; runner-up and teammate Kaleena Cappel finished at 11:19.65.
Purdue also dominated the steeplechase on the men's side as David Rae and Mike Ciccarelli finished first and second. Rae won with a time of 9:14.54 and Ciccarelli crossed in 9:18.14.
To complete the first day, Purdue swept the 10,000 meter race. Kyle Orender won the men's race in 31:26.30 and Lindsey Zinn won the women's race in 35:57.69.
The second day of the Purdue Invitational starts Saturday at 11 a.m. with the javelin, pole vault, long and triple jump competitions. The day's first running event, the women's 5,000-meters, begins at noon.