March 24, 2007
TEMPE, Ariz. - Purdue University junior Astin Steward and sophomore Ben Harpenau both notched NCAA Regional Championship qualifying marks in the hammer throw to open the Boilermakers' outdoor track and field season at the Arizona State University Invitational on Friday night. Both of their throws marked personal records as Steward took home sixth place, while Harpenau finished 13th.
Steward eclipsed her previous personal best by more than a meter as she hurled the hammer 55.90 meters (183-05), while Harpenau's toss on the men's side was just under a meter better than his personal record as he marked 56.44 meters (185-02). Also securing a personal record for the Purdue women was junior Sheena James, who smashed her previous best by almost three meters, posting a 14th-place toss of 48.21 meters (158-02). Senior Mandy Bodner finished 21st with a throw of 45.04 meters (147-09), while freshman Stacey Wannemacher opened her first collegiate outdoor season with a mark of 44.31 meters (145-04).
Backing Harpenau on the men's side were senior Tyler Miller, sophomore Bryce Simon and freshman Jonathan Pullum. Miller placed 22nd with a throw of 52.27 meters (171-06), followed closely by Simon in 23rd at 51.89 meters (170-03). Pullum opened his first outdoor campaign with a mark of 43.94 meters (144-02).
Action resumes tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m.