April 10, 2009
ATHENS, Ga. - Purdue junior Stacey Wannemacher reset her own women's shot put record to lead the Boilermakers' track and field teams at the University of Georgia Spec Towns National Team Invitational on Friday. Her throw was one of five NCAA Regional qualifying marks on the day, moving the team count to 17 for the season.
Wannemacher led a 1-2 finish for the Old Gold and Black as both she and freshman Terri Anderson topped the regional standard. Wannemacher's throw of 16.25 meters (53-03.75) bested her previous school mark set at the 2008 NCAA Mideast Regional Championships and lifts her to the top of the Big Ten standings this season. Anderson exceeded the qualifying mark for the first time this season with her mark of 14.43 meters (47-04.25) and now has a pair of NCAA Regional marks as she's qualified in the discus as well.
Junior Christina Madison became the Boilermakers' third double-qualifier of the year, picking up the tail end of a 2-3 finish in the women's triple jump behind classmate Nkeiru Ugwoaba. Ugwoaba increased her regional mark to a career-best 12.54 meters (41-01.75), which is fifth-best in school history, while Madison leapt 12.49 meters (40-11.75), and now has regional marks in the long jump and triple jump.
Senior Ben Harpenau posted another impressive performance in the men's hammer throw, finishing second on the day with a toss of 63.42 meters (208-01). It was his third straight competition with at least a 63-meter mark as he leads the Big Ten this year with his top throw of 64.07 meters (210-02).
Freshman Emily Leckenby rounded out the Boilermakers' day, posting a career-best of 48.05 meters (157-08) to take third place.
Competition resumes tomorrow at 10 a.m. (EST) with the women's javelin.