Jan. 15, 2005
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Boilermaker distance runners were at their best Saturday at the season-opening Purdue Invitational at Lambert Fieldhouse. David Rae won two races, and Corrie Whisner and Amber Ferner were victorious in their respective events as Purdue won 16 of 30 competitions at the non-scoring meet.
Rae, a 2004 Canadian National Qualifier in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, led a pair of three-way sweeps, winning both the mile and 3,000-meter runs. Rae's winning mile time was 4 minutes, 19.31 seconds and his 3K mark was timed at 8:36.13.
Teammates Kyle Orender and Zach Wilder followed Rae to the finish line in the mile, coming across in 4:21.20 and 4:22.16. Trailing Rae in the 3K were Justin Stadt (8:37.81) and Michial Jacob (8:49.91).
The women were slightly more impressive in their distance events, sweeping the top five spots in the mile and 3K, and two of the top three spots in the 800. Whisner was the winner of the mile, finishing the course in 5:10.60, over 10 seconds faster than runner-up Kaleena Cappel.
2004 All-American Amber Ferner earned top honors in the 3K, coming across in 10:20.46. Her winning margin was 31 seconds faster than the rest of the pack. Newcomer Anne Dillavou won the 800 title with a tight victory over Louisville's Allissa Moore, 2:26.71 to 2:26.81.
In addition to Dillavou, newcomers Alfred Woods, Frank Duong, Keith Hopkins, Brian Kaluf and Jh'Rome Tuggle were also all successful in their collegiate debuts. Woods won the 60-meter dash in 6.87, and Duong won the long jump over veteran Kern Woods by an 1.5 inches, 22-7 3/4 to 22-6 1/2.
Kaluf, Hopkins and Tuggle, along with sophomore Terrell Thompson won the 4x400-meter relay in 3:22.77.
A few veterans also won, with Ina Jackson claiming the long jump title at 17-4 1/4 (5.29), DaVida Anderson winning the 60 in 8.05, and Kern Woods finishing the 60-meter hurdle course in 8.07. Derek Watkins tied for first in the high jump with Chicago State's Derrick Smith at 6-9 1/2 (2.07).
All-American Kenneth Baxter, competing unattached, won the 400 title in 50.18.
Even with fewer weapons in its arsenal, the Purdue throwing crew excelled in the shot put and weight throws. Sheena James led a three-way sweep in the shot put, recording a top distance of 46 feet, 8 1/4 inches (14.23 meters), and in the weight throw, Astin Steward claimed top honors with her launch of 58-11 1/2 (17.97). J. P. Smolenski was the winner of the men's weight throw, finishing with a top distance of 56-00 (17.07).
The throws group was without the services of Nedzad Mulabegovic and Igor Kirin, both of who were visiting their homeland of Croatia. The team also lost All-Americans Keith McBride and Scott Hecht, along with school record holder, Tiffany Britten, to graduation last May.
Purdue competes again next Saturday in Bloomington for the Indiana/Ohio State Triangular. The following week, the Boilermakers travel to Lexington for the Rod McCravy Memorial.