April 27, 2007
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - The Purdue University men's and women's track and field teams outlasted some severe condition in Philadelphia to post several impressive performances at the second day of the Penn Relays. The Boilermaker women took down another Purdue relay record, while the men's squad added a season-best time and qualifed for the Championship of America in the 4x400-meter relay.
The foursome of senior Lindsey Singleton, junior captain Leah Kincaid, sophomore Ranay Harvey and freshman Christina Madison took down the second Boilermaker relay record in as many days, setting the new mark at 56.50, good for fourth place in the Championship of America race. Kincaid also placed 12th in the collegiate women's 100-meter hurdles with a time of 13.67.
Juniors Keith Hopkins, Jh'Rome Tuggle and Brian Kaluf and sophomore Zach Logan notched a season-best time of 3:09.12 in the 4x400, placing fifth overall and qualifying for tomorrow's Championship of America in the event. Hopkins, Tuggle and Logan teamed with senior Rickey Pinkney for a time of 42.35 in the 4x100-meter relay, good for fourth in their heat. Hopkins and Pinkney placed in the men's collegiate 110-meter high hurdles as well, taking seventh and 10th with respective times of 13.95 and 14.05.
Junior Astin Steward posted her second silver-medal performance in as many days, hurling the discus 52.21 meters (171-03) to place second in the women's Championship of America field. Her mark was just eight inches shy of her season best, which is the second longest throw in school history.
Senior captain John Porter earned a second-place finish in the men's collegiate pole vault, clearing 4.90 meters (16-01.00), while sophomore teammate Eric Sparks tied for 11th with a height of 4.75 meters (15-07.00).
The Boilermakers start their final day of competition at the Penn Relays tomorrow at 12:15 p.m. with the men's hammer throw.