April 11, 2008
ATHENS, Ga. - The Purdue men's and women's track and field teams got off to a solid at the Spec Towns National Team Invitational, hosted by the University of Georgia on Friday, winning one event and scoring personal records in a couple others.
Senior Astin Steward paced the team with a win in the women's hammer throw, hurling it 56.74 meters (186-02). Sophomore teammate Stacey Wannemacher followed closely in third place, tossing it a career-best 52.64 meters (172-08). Fellow sophomore Christina Madison notched a personal record as well, placing fourth overall and second among collegiate competitors in the triple jump with a mark of 12.40 meters (40-08.25).
On the men's side, junior Nolan Petties upped his career best in the triple jump, finishing second with a bounce of 15.45 meters (50-08.25). Classmate Ben Harpenau earned fourth in the hammer throw with a mark of 60.06 meters (197-00), while freshman Billy Hardcastle threw a career-best 53.94 meters (177-00) to grab ninth.
Action resumes tomorrow at 10 a.m. with the men's javelin throw.