May 6, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Courtney Magnuson highlighted Purdue's night at the Billy Hayes Invitational, recording a varsity-record breaking throw of 60.74 meters (199 feet - 3 inches).
Magnuson also was the previous record holder in this event. Last year, the senior from Palatine, Ill., posted a distance of 60.44 (198-3) against Indiana at Rankin Track and Field, which shattered Toyinda Smith's standard of 58.70 (192-07). Magnuson's previous best this season was a 60.10, which she reached last weekend at the Penn Relays.
Also winning for the Boilermakers Friday were Nedzad Mulabegovic in the shot put (19.55; 64-1.75) and Lindsey Blaine in the javelin (47.76; 156-8); John Paul Smolenski was second in the hammer throw (63.61; 208-8).
Head coach Jack Warner was glad to see the throwers do well since they'll be among the teams' top point scorers at next weekend's Big Ten Championships at Ohio State.
"We need folks like J.P., Ned, Kara (Patterson), Courtney and Lindsey to take care of business next weekend," said Warner. "They're all key people for us and we need to have them perform at their highest level."
Running well on the Indiana track were Kenneth Baxter, who finished with a 10.68 in the 100-meter dash and a 21.02 in the 200, and hurdlers Rickey Pinkney and Keith Hopkins, who placed first and second in the 110-meter hurdles with times of 14.28 and 14.33.
Warner also was pleased with the efforts of Gina Harvey, who clocked a season best 55.59 in the 400-meter dash, and newcomer Brian Kaluf who ran a personal best 52.34 in the 400-meter hurdles. LaShauna Harris looked sharp in the 100-meter hurdles with an NCAA regional qualifying time of 13.83.