May 7, 2004
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Purdue's throwers served as the headline act of the 26th-annual Billy Hayes Invitational under the lights of Indiana University's Haugh Track and Field Complex. The Boilermaker throwing corps came away with 10 top-eight showings, which included victories by Tiffany Britten and Courtney Magnuson.
Britten captured her shot put title with a top push of 48 feet-10 1/4 inches (14.89), which was just short of her season best by three centimeters. Magnuson's best hammer throw Friday was measured at 195-8 (59.65), also a few centimeters short of breaking her season record.
The other good news for the throwers, aside from the two victories, was that they added freshman Mandy Bodnar to its NCAA Mideast Regional Championship roster. Bodnar qualified for regionals in the discus, recording a second-place and career best effort of 153-4 (46.73).
With the addition of Bodnar, throws coach John Zera is currently bringing 10 of his student-athletes to LSU to the regional meet, which takes place May 28 and 29. He is taking his entire six-man roster and four of his five female throwers.
Bodnar, along with classmate Astin Steward is one of two rookies representing Purdue in the discus at regionals. Steward has proven to be one of the more versatile athletes on the women's team, recording high marks in all throwing events. Friday night Steward placed fourth in the hammer at 173-8 (52.93) and fifth in the discus, posting a distance of 145-1 (44.23).
The male throwers also had a solid outing Friday night, especially John Paul Smolenski, who recorded a career-best of 221-3 (67.45) in the hammer. Smolenski's second-place throw is also the second best in school history behind Chris Brown (222-3; 67.74) and the second best in the conference this season behind Ohio State's Dan Taylor (67.79).
In all, Purdue had four of its throwers finish among the top eight in the hammer. All-Americans Keith McBride (209-3; 63.77) and Scott Hecht (199-8; 60.86) placed fourth and sixth, while Igor Kirin placed seventh (196-8; 59.95).
Hecht also earned a third-place showing in the shot put, finishing with a top effort of 60-11 1/4 (18.57).
High jumper Derek Watkins shared Purdue's only other victory of the night. Watkins and five other competitors tied for first, with all reaching a top height of 6-9 (2.06).
The Boilermakers' next competition is the Big Ten Outdoor Championships, which will take place at Purdue's Rankin Track and Field, May 14 to 16. For more information, click on the Big Ten Championships graphic located on the front page of purduesports.com.