April 24, 2009
DES MOINES, Iowa - Purdue senior Kara Patterson topped the field in the women's javelin throw at the Drake Relays on Friday, besting an elite field from the collegiate and post-collegiate scenes. Her top mark of 54.18 meters (177-09) was more than three meters better than the next collegiate athlete and just under three meters past any of the unattached post-collegiates in attendance.
Patterson was the only Boilermaker in attendance at the Drake Relays, joining the field as part of a USA Track and Field sponsored event. She was one of at least five 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials competitors in attendance, including the only other American woman to exceed the 200-foot barrier, Dana Pounds.
The Purdue senior hurled her top throw on her first attempt of the day, jumping into the lead and giving the field a mark to chase. She hurled two more throws over 52 meters on the day, marking 53.64 meters on her second attempt and 52.22 meters on her final throw, both of which would have been good enough to win.
Patterson remains at the top of the NCAA Division I list this season with her top mark of 58.41 meters (191-08), and has just three weeks left before she'll defend her Big Ten Championship at Jesse Owens Track at Ohio State University. She'll rejoin her Purdue teammates next weekend as they head to Columbus, Ohio, for the Jesse Owens Classic at Ohio State, which will air on the Big Ten Network.