Feb. 26, 2005
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Thanks to a boost from Jocelyn Lindsay and Megan Darraugh in the pole vault, Purdue finds itself in seventh place with 16 points at the Big Ten indoor championships. This year's meet is being hosted by Michigan, while Purdue's Lambert Fieldhouse plays host to the men's event.
Lindsey and Darraugh placed third and fifth, scoring 10 of the Boilermakers' 16 first-day points. Lindsey reached a height of 3.90 meters (12-9.5), matching her season best, while Darraugh's top height attained was 3.60 (11-9.75). Michigan State's Mickie Rzepka and Minnesota's Andrea Smith tied for the event's top height of 4.00 (13-1.50), but Rzepka won the gold medal based on fewer misses.
Also scoring in the field for Purdue was Ina Jackson, who placed eighth in the long jump with a season-best distance of 5.79 (19-00). Astin Steward just missed scoring points in the shot put, placing ninth with a push of 12.92 (42-4.75).
With the exception of the distance medley relay team, which placed fourth, the Boilermakers did not experience much success on the track. Purdue did not advance any runners from the 60, 200, 600 or mile races, but had senior Gina Harvey (57.70) qualify ninth for tomorrow's 400-meter dash finals.
Harvey ran the third leg of the distance medley relay, helping the team score five points with its mark of 11:47.28. Corrie Whisner, Stephanie Stromp and Ann Dillavou comprised the remaining 3/4 of the team.
The host Wolverines lead with 40.5 points, but are trailed closely by Minnesota with 37 points. Michigan State (34), Illinois (29.5) and Wisconsin (28) are also in the thick of the battle. Ohio State leads Purdue by three with 19 points.
Penn State (14), Iowa (10) and Indiana (6) all trail the Boilermakers heading into tomorrow's final day of events.