April 15, 2005
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Save the best for last? Not if you're the Purdue track and field team, which showed off most of its top-ranked talent Friday night at the Indiana State Pacesetter Invitational.
The Boilermakers won four of seven events and added hammer thrower Igor Kirin and shot putter Nedzad Mulabegovic to its ever-growing list of NCAA regional qualifiers, which stands at 15 student-athletes.
Kirin was third with an effort of 56.59 meters (185 feet - 8 inches), finishing seven meters (20 feet) behind fourth-ranked J.P. Smolenski., who posted a winning distance of 63.01 (206-9). Smolenski entered the Pacesetter Invite with the second best throw in the nation of 67.47 (221-5), which he recorded two weeks ago at the Mike Poehlein Invitational. Spyridon Jullien, a junior from Virginia Tech, owns the nation's top throw this season of 72.68 (238-5).
Fifth-ranked Mulabegovic accomplished his goal of attaining a regional qualifying mark in his first week of competing outdoors, recording a throw of 19.51 (64- 1/4). The 2005 NCAA indoor runner-up missed his school record by less than a meter, but topped runner-up Drew Taub of Indiana State by almost three meters (nine feet).
Despite the two victories, Purdue sits behind Indiana State, 49 to 30, entering Saturday's second and final day of competition. The Sycamores were able to build their lead from competing unopposed in the 4x100 shuttle hurdle relay, and from scoring two individuals in the triple jump.
ISU's Steve Daniel and Brandon Wash claimed the first and fourth-place points in the triple jump, while Boilermaker Rayland Currie came in fifth with a leap of 13.54 (44-5 1/4).
No. 12 Courtney Magnuson won her hammer throw with a first-place launch of 58.86 (193-01), while sophomore Astin Steward was second at 53.22 (174-7). In the women's shot put, Sheena James and LaTonya Fryerson were second and third with their distances of 13.95 (45-9 1/4) and 13.31 (43-8).
The women's team also scored points on the track, winning the 4x100 shuttle hurdle relay in 1:00.85. The Boilermakers' team was comprised of LaShauna Harris, Lindsey Singleton, Angela Anoliefoh and Leah Kincaid. Indiana State was second with a mark of 1:02.05 and Valpo was third at 1:05.02.
The five top-three showings earned the 22nd-ranked Boilermakers 45 points in their first day of competition, while Marquette and Valparaiso are tied for second with 17 points each.
Competition resumes Saturday at 9:30 with the women's discus throw and concludes at 5:45 p.m. with the men's 4x400-meter relay.