June 9, 2005
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Seniors Derek Watkins and Courtney Magnuson advanced past the preliminary stages of the high jump and hammer throw Thursday afternoon at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Prior to today, neither upperclassmen had qualified for the finals of their respective events.
Magnuson, a native of Palatine, Ill, finished 11th with a toss of 59.39 meters (194-10), a measurement that was just short of her lifetime best of 60.74 (199-3). Her two other throws coming out of the second flight were measured at 58.34 and 52.64.
Jenny Dahlgren, a sophomore from Georgia, led the 27-woman pack with a launch of 66.58 (218-05), while Colorado State senior Loree Smith was second at 64.47 (211-06).
"Courtney's performance today was a real tribute to her character traits of working hard and never giving up," said head coach Jack Warner. "I'm proud of the way she was able to put her miserable Big Ten experience behind her, going on to qualify for nationals at the regional meet and then finishing among the top 12 this afternoon."
Watkins clinched his spot in Saturday's final after recording a season-best height of 2.14 (7-00.25). His personal best stands at 2.15 (7-00.5), which he posted at the 2003 Big Ten Championships.
The high jump prelims were halted after Washington freshman Norris Frederick missed on his third attempt at 2.14; because according to NCAA Championship guidelines, competition only continues if more than 16 athletes remain at a bar height. After Frederick fouled out, that left the field at 16 competitors, all of whom will compete again in the finals.
"Derek just had an outstanding day," said Warner. "He came in with a positive attitude, and I just knew he'd be able to clear the 2.14 mark with no problem. He's ready both physically and mentally, so he's definitely capable of finishing among the top eight."
The bar will start at 2.10 meters (6-11) during finals, a height that Watkins has cleared four times this season.
Not all the news, however, was good news for the Boilermakers, as Kenneth Baxter's career wearing the Old Gold and Black came to an end during the semifinals of the 200-meter dash.
Battling a slight knee injury, Baxter posted a prelim time of 20.89 and a semifinal mark of 20.61, which was a personal best by .04 seconds. His previous best of 20.65 was registered at this year's NCAA Mideast Regional Championships.
Baxter's effort was one that truly impressed a bittersweet Warner.
"He came a long way and battled hard to get where he was today," said Warner. "He gets a personal record even with tendonitis in one knee, which just shows what type of competitor he is. Kenny's had a great career and I wish I could have a few more years to work with him."
Competing Friday for Purdue will be J.P. Smolenski in the championship finals of the hammer throw, and senior Angela Anoliefoh, who begins her two-day run in the heptathlon.