Jan. 20, 2007
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Purdue University junior Sheena James posted a new school record in the shot put to lead the Boilermakers' men's and women's track teams at the Indiana Invitational on Saturday. The men's team won four events on the day, while the women grabbed a pair of wins in an outstanding effort by both squads.
James' toss of 15.55 meters (51-00.20) fractured the old school mark of 15.47 meters (50-09.25) set by Tiffany Britten in 2004. The throw was good for second place overall and NCAA provisional qualification. James also finished fifth in the weight throw with a mark of 15.90 meters (52-02.00). She was followed closely in the shot put by first-year Stacey Wannemacher, who threw the shot 13.94 meters (45-08.82) for fourth place.
Also leading the women's effort was junior captain Leah Kincaid, who earned both first-place finishes for the women. She took home the 60-meter hurdles in 8.48 seconds, missing the NCAA provisional time by just 0.05 seconds, and won the long jump with a leap of 6.02 meters (19-09.00).
Senior Corrie Whisner, sophomore Mallory Peck and freshman Katie Morrical all gave outstanding efforts for the Boilers as well. Whisner finished second in the mile run, earning NCAA provisional qualification and shattering her career best with a time of 4:47.43. Peck also provisionally qualified for the national championship meet, earning second place in the pole vault with a height of 3.95 meters (12-11.50), and missing her personal best by just 0.01 meters. Morrical nearly matched her career best in the 3,000-meter run, finishing 10th with a time of 10:00.71 despite falling during the race.
Capping off the women's performance was a fourth-place showing in the 4x400-meter relay as Kincaid teamed with senior Lindsey Singleton, sophomore Lauren Scott and freshman Rachel Stalzer for a time of 3:54.41.
On the men's side, Purdue held firm control of a trio of events, posting a 1-2-3 finish in the 60-meter hurdles and 1-2 finishes in the weight throw and pole vault. Senior Rickey Pinkney won his second 60-meter hurdle race in as many weeks, leading juniors Keith Hopkins and Brian Kaluf with a time of 7.98 seconds. Freshman John Pullum set a career best in the weight throw, hurling it 19.19 meters (62-11.50) for first place. He was followed closely by sophomore Ben Harpenau who tossed the weight 18.23 meters (59-11.72), and topped the 18-meter mark for the second straight meet. Senior captain John Porter bested the field in the pole vault, clearing 5.00 meters (16-04.75), while junior Andrew Rademacher was right behind at 4.90 meters (16-00.75). Sophomore Nolan Petties secured the Boilers' other victory on the day, topping the long jump with a distance of 7.18 meters (23-06.75). Senior Terrell Thompson eclipsed his career best in the 600-meter run, smashing the mark by nearly two seconds with a time of 1:19.87 and finishing third.
"It was a great overall meet for us," said Purdue head coach Jack Warner. "We set a few personal bests on both sides and I'm really looking forward to next week's home meet."
The Boilermakers return to Lambert Fieldhouse next Saturday, Jan. 27, as they host the Gene Edmonds Cup.