April 17, 2004
WALNUT, Calif. - The slogan for the 2004 Mt. San Antonio College Relays is "Where the World's Best Athletes Compete." Joining that list late Friday was sophomore Amber Ferner, who dominated her field in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, winning with a school-record time of 10:16.34.
Ferner's time broke the two-year old record of 10:18.32, which was established by Barbara Wenger.
Distance coach Mike Poehlein noted that not only did Ferner break the school record, she also ran the fourth best time in the NCAA's this season, and the eighth best time in the world. Ferner also topped every other Big Ten competitor in the field, including Illinois' Cassie Hunt, who recorded the second best time of the night at 10:23.68; over five seconds behind the Boilermaker.
Poehlein also said that if Ferner keeps her times steady, she is a guaranteed lock for the National Championships in Texas.
Elsewhere on the track for Purdue, Kara Lahey placed fourth in her section of the steeplechase, finishing in 10:40.81; Lindsay Zinn recorded a personal record in the 10,000-meter run, with a time of 35:35.50 and Michael Ciccarelli placed third in his steeplechase, coming across in 9:09.81. Ciccarelli's mark was the second fastest of his career.
Kyle Orender is Purdue's lone competitor Saturday night; he competes in the 1,500-meter run, starting at 11:05 CDT. The rest of Purdue track and field team is competing at the Indy Relays, their competitions begin Saturday at 1 p.m.