April 23, 2004
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Igor Kirin won the hammer throw title at Rankin Track and Field's Big Ten Preview Invitational, recording a NCAA regional qualifying mark of 198 feet, 6 inches (60.50 meters). Kirin provided the only win for the Boilermakers through seven events during day one of the two-day competition, which also features student-athletes from Illinois and Indiana.
Kirin had no trouble with his competition. The next highest finisher was Notre Dame's Chip Roberts, who finished over 20-feet behind the Boilermaker.
Purdue also received high showings from two of its female athletes: Astin Steward, and Carrie Fett. Steward placed fourth in the women's hammer at 160-2 (48.81) and Fett captured third in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, crossing the finish line in 11:21.94.
The Big Ten Preview Invitational resumes Saturday at 10 a.m. with the javelin throw. In addition to Illinois and Indiana, regional rivals such as Notre Dame, DePaul and Marquette are also part of the 11 team field. Also on Saturday, Purdue athletes will wrap competitions at the Drake and Penn Relays.
High jumper Shaun Guice and the hammer throw combo of Scott Hecht, Keith McBride and J.P. Smolenski will compete at Penn, and distance runners David Rae and Michael Ciccarelli take to the 3,000-meter steeplechase course at the Drake Relays.