April 6, 2007
AUBURN, Ala. - The Purdue University men's and women's track and field teams got a great start to the 2007 Tiger Classic, hosted by Auburn University on Friday, as freshman Lance Moe and junior Andrew Rademacher posted solid starts in their first career decathlon, while sophomore Ben Harpenau and junior Astin Steward placed fifth and third in the men's and women's hammer throws.
Moe finished the first five events in seventh place with 3,362 points, while Rademacher stands in 10th with 3,214 points. Moe had his most solid effort of the day in the high jump, clearing a decathlon- and career-best 2.05 meters (6-8.75), to score 850 points. Rademacher's top mark came in the shot put, earning 622 points with a throw of 12.26 meters (40-02.75). Both Moe and Rademacher look to finish strong in tomorrow's final five events, most noticeably the javelin and pole vault for Rademacher.
Harpenau recorded his third personal record of the season, hurling the hammer 59.98 meters (196-09) to improve his NCAA Regional qualifying mark, while junior teammate Tyler Miller placed 13th with a throw of 48.92 meters (160-06). Steward tossed it 56.77 meters (186-03), and freshman Stacey Wannemacher followed in 11th place, shattering her previous personal-best mark by over four meters with a throw of 48.58 meters (159-04). Junior Sheena James and senior Mandy Bodner rounded out the Purdue women in 16th and 22nd with respective marks of 45.47 meters (149-02) and 43.13 meters (141-06).
Tomorrow's action will begin with the decathlon and heptathlon at 11 a.m., starting the day concurrently with the women's pole vault. Results will be available at purduesports.com and also at www.cfpitiming.com.