Feb. 18, 2006
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The competition was less than world class, but that didn't stop the Boilermakers from giving all-out efforts.
Purdue's men's and women's team combined for 20 wins, plus dozens more personal and season bests over teams from Goshen College, Grand Valley State, Vincennes, St. Francis and IPFW.
"I think all our preparation work (for Big Ten's) is complete, and tonight's performances were a good indication of that," said head coach Jack Warner. "We should feel confident heading into Big Ten's. We keep getting better every week and I'm happy to see both my teams coming together."
Leah Kincaid provided the night's biggest highlight, breaking Krissy Liphardt's five-year old school record during prelims of the 60-meter hurdles. Kincaid finished the sprint in 8.42 seconds, erasing Liphardt's mark of 8.47, which was posted on Jan. 26, 2001.
Kincaid did not compete in the 60-meter hurdle finals, which was won by LaShauna Harris in 8.67 seconds. Kincaid went on to win the long jump with a distance of 5.89 meters, while Harris later claimed first in the 60-meter dash at 7.70 seconds.
Also winning on the women's side were Ashley Kemp (200), Lauren Sperlak (600), Amber Ferner (3000), Lindsay Singleton (high jump) and Jocelyn Lindsay (pole vault)
Warner believes that his women's team is ready to leave the basement of the Big Ten standings, but the men will have a tough time improving.
"We've lost a lot of throwing points from last year's team, but our vaulting will help replace some of those scores," said Warner.
One of those aforementioned vaulters is John Porter, who won the pole vault with an NCAA consideration height of 5.20 meters. Teammate Andrew Rademacher was the runner-up with a jump of 5.00 meters.
Junior Rickey Pinkney recorded two times lower than the NCAA provisional standard in the 60-meter hurdles. Pinkney won the prelims in 7.88 and the finals in 7.85, which was a season best.
Also victorious for the Boilermaker men were Maurice Johnson (60 prelims), Jh'Rome Tuggle (200), Justin Stadt (Mile), Terrell Thompson (600), Michial Jacob (3000), Nolan Pettis (long jump) and the 4x400-meter relay of Patrick Bush, Trenton Morton, Jarris Suggs and Frank Dixon.
The Boilermakers split up next weekend for the two-day Big Ten Championships held on Saturday and Sunday. The women will travel to Wisconsin and the men head to Iowa.