Things Are Underway

Feb. 7, 2009

Results

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The Purdue men's and women's track and field teams got things off to a solid start at the Notre Dame Meyo Invitational on Friday, winning an event and posting personal records in a few others. Senior captain Ben Harpenau led the way, dropping a personal record and first-place performance in the men's weight throw.

Harpenau's fourth toss of the day marked a career-best 20.04 meters (65-09.00), moving him to fifth on the Boilermakers' all-time list in the event and climbing to 14th in NCAA Division I this season. Bolstering his efforts on the women's side were juniors Nkeiru Ugwoaba and Christina Madison, who posted matching jumps of 5.91 meters (19-04.75) in the long jump to take fifth and sixth, respectively. The mark is a career-best for both women who now share the No. 5 all-time mark at Purdue in the event.

Other placewinning performances for the Boilermakers came from senior Ben Pax, junior Rachel Stalzer, sophomore Emily Breslin and freshman Gabe PIrtle. Stalzer took fifth in the women's 500-meter run, clocking a time of 1:15.99, while Pax, Breslin and Pirtle were each seventh in their respective events. Pax cleared 5.02 meters (16-05.50) in the men's pole vault, Breslin marked 1.70 meters (5-07.00) in the women's high jump and Pirtle raced to a time of 1:04.78 in the men's 500-meter dash.

Competition continues tomorrow morning at Notre Dame and will run through the meet's conclusion Saturday evening. For full results and a recap check back Saturday night at PurdueSports.com.