Feb. 5, 2005
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Earlier this week, Purdue assistant coach Monica Gary cleaned and polished the team's nine-year old Edmonds Cup with the hope of returning it to the trophy case looking shiny and new.
Her efforts proved to be worthwhile as the Boilermakers dominated the Indiana State Sycamores for a tenth-straight season, 170-153.
The trophy, which was founded in 1996, is named after longtime USATF official Gene Edmonds and is given to the winner of the annual Purdue and Indiana State indoor dual meet.
With 369 points, Purdue also won its four-way dual against ISU (349), Eastern Kentucky (134) and Western Illinois (114). 2005 marked the first year that other teams have been included in the Edmonds Cup field; however, the Colonels and Leathernecks were not eligible to win the trophy.
Purdue's men's and women's team simply dominated the field, which surprised head coach Jack Warner to some extent. The women won 10 of 15 events, while the men captured eight event victories.
"Everyone did a great job today, but I was worried coming into this meet," said Warner. " I knew Indiana State would be fired up, and really wanted to win the cup, but they just didn't have the depth."
Warner was especially pleased with his women's team, listing nearly every competitor who contributed to Saturday's victory. He said they all came to compete and gave remarkable efforts in the process.
Junior LaShauna Harris was the leading point scorer, finishing first in the 60-meter dash (7.77), 60-meter hurdles (8.73) and the 200-meter dash (25.20). Harris' time in the 60 hurdles was a season best.
Senior team captain Gina Harvey also was a multiple winner, scoring victories in the 400 (57.84) and with 4x400-meter relay team of Stephanie Stromp, Ashley Kemp and Angela Anoliefoh (3:54.22).
Elsewhere on the track, Corrie Whisner won the 800 (2:15.14) and Lindsay Zinn won the 3K in her season debut (10:00.13). Warner was pleased with Whisner's comeback effort in the 800 after she was nipped in the mile run by ISU's Laura Engle, 4:58.89 to 4:59.56, earlier in the day.
Astin Steward was the top highlight of the field events, registering an NCAA provisional distance of 18.85 meters (61 feet, 21 1/4) inches in the weight throw. She is the second Boilermaker athlete to post an NCAA provisional or automatic mark, joining Nedzad Mulabegovic.
The Purdue women swept the throws with Sheena James taking first in the shot put with a push of 13.47 (44-2 1/2). Also winning in the field was Jocelyn Lindsay, who registered a season best height of 3.90 (12-9 1/2) in the pole vault.
Purdue's men also excelled on the field, especially the jumpers, who won three of four events. Derek Watkins was tops in the high jump with a season-best leap of 2.10 (6-10 3/4), John Porter took top honors in the pole vault (4.88; 16-00) and Frank Duong and Kern Woods finished first and second in the long jump with distances of 7.00 (22-11 3/4) and 6.98 (22-11).
Also in the field, Mulabegovic tossed the shot put well past the NCAA automatic qualifying mark of 19.30 meters for the second time in as many tries, finishing with a top effort of 19.34 (63-5 1/2).
"Ned has been lifting hard this whole week, and basically used this meet as a practice for the Big Ten's and NCAA's," said Warner. "He's extremely motivated, and I'm satisfied with the progress he has made this season."
The Boilermakers showcased their new-found depth on the track as football transfers Dorien Bryant and Zach Logan won the 200 and 400. Bryant crossed the finish line in 21.81 and Logan completed his course in 49.05. Bryant came close to also winning the 60, but was edged by EKU's Dallas Robinson by .02 seconds.
Victories on the track also were scored by Terrell Thompson in the 600 (1:21.94) and Ricky Pinkney in the 60-meter hurdles (7.94).
Purdue returns to competition next weekend for the two-day Iowa State Invitational, which takes place on Feb. 11 and 12. Big Ten rivals Minnesota and Iowa also will be part of the multi-team field.