Feb. 19, 2005
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Nedzad Mulabegovic broke three shot put records with one throw Saturday night at the Boilermaker Invitational. The 2004 Olympian registered a push of 19.94 meters (65 feet-5 inches), breaking established varsity, Lambert Fieldhouse and Croatian National marks.
Mulabegovic had owned the previous varsity record of 19.64 (64-5.25), recorded during last season's Edmonds Cup meet with Indiana State. The old Lambert Fieldhouse record of 19.81 (65-0) was posted by Taylor's Steve Erecegovac in 2001.
The second record-breaking performance of the night belonged to sophomore Rickey Pinkney, who set a new varsity record in the 60-meter hurdles. Last weekend at Iowa State, Pinkney tied Prentice Stovall's record of 7.84, but claimed it for himself Saturday with a time of 7.82.
"Everything went the way I wanted it to," said head coach Jack Warner. "I was really pleased with performances from Ned, Rickey, Courtney (Magnuson) in the weight throw and LaShauna (Harris). From a physical standpoint we are ready to compete at Big Ten's."
Saturday's meet was fairly relaxed for the Boilermakers, competing against teams from Goshen College, IPFW and a few unattached competitors and track clubs. As expected, Purdue dominated its regular season indoor finale, winning 18 of 26 events.
Harris was the lone dual winner, as she finished first in both the 60-meter dash (7.68) and 60-meter hurdles (8.61). Also winning on the track were DaVida Anderson, Gina Harvey, Lindsay Zinn, Corrie Whisner and the 4x400-meter relays.
Magnuson had her team's best throw of the day, winning the weight throw with a launch of 18.45 (60-6.50). Sheena James helped complete the Purdue throws sweep with an effort of 14.12 (46-4) in the shot put. On the men's side, Igor Kirin and J.P. Smolenski placed first and second in the weight throw with distances of 18.25 (59-10.5) and 18.12 (59-5.50).
Elsewhere in the field, Ina Jackson won the long jump, Leah Kincaid took top honors in the triple jump and Laura Stier, Lindsay Singleton and Kincaid finished in a three-way tie for first in the high jump. The men also fared well in the high jump with Derek Watkins and Pat Carson claiming the top two spots.
The Big Ten Indoor Championships take place next weekend on Saturday Feb. 26 and Sunday, Feb. 27. Lambert Fieldhouse will play host to the men's meet, while the University of Michigan welcomes the conference's top women.