June 10, 2010
EUGENE, Ore. - Purdue senior Sarah Klaczynski kept her dream season going on Thursday, advancing to the finals of the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase and breaking the Boilermakers' school record in the event at the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, hosted by the University of Oregon at Hayward Field. One of three Boilermakers competing on the day, Klaczynski's mark of 10:11.17 took over the top spot on the Purdue leaderboard by more than a second.
As the conditions have wavered between sunshine and rain over the first two days of the championships, an icy downpour started just as the first heat of the women's steeplechase was about to begin and Klaczynski stepped to the line. She stayed with the front pack throughout the race, never falling farther than eighth, and keeping an impressive pace the entire time. Klaczynski found herself two spots shy of the last automatic qualifying spot with 400 meters to go, and in a performance reminiscent of this year's Big Ten Championships, she passed a pair of athletes over the last 100 meters to advance to Saturday's finals.
Her time of 10:11.17 surpasses the previous school record, set by Amber Ferner in 2004 en route to an All-America performance. The time shatters Klaczynski's previous career best in the event, as she entered the week ranked third in school history at 10:22.81, and cracks her personal record for the sixth time this season. She'll attempt to become the 26th Boilermaker woman to earn All-America honors on Saturday, competing in a field of 14 in the finals at 10:54 a.m.
The Boilermakers ended up on the tough end of another officiating situation on Thursday as senior Eric Sparks cleared just the opening mark of 5.00 meters (16-04.75), despite having no intention of attempting the height. After passing on the opening height, the competition resumed at 5.15 meters (16-10.75) with more than half of the field taking attempts at the bar. Sparks was included in this half, clearing the bar on his third attempt and anticipating a move to 5.30 meters (17-04.50). However, the officials finally came to the realization that they never raised the bar from 5.00 meters to 5.15 meters, forcing them to the decision to restart the order at an official measurement of 5.15 meters this time. Sparks was unable to clear 5.15 meters on the ensuing round, bowing out of the competition. Sparks finishes an outstanding Purdue career with a pair of Big Ten Outdoor Championships and a trio of conference silver medals.
Senior Nkeiru Ugwoaba got just one jump down in the women's triple jump, marking 12.58 meters (41-03.25) to finish 19th overall. She got off to a rough start, fouling her first two attempts on the runway, but got her third jump down to get on the board. Ugwoaba completes her Purdue career with a pair of Big Ten titles and both the Boilermakers' indoor and outdoor women's records in the triple jump.
The Boilermakers continue competition tomorrow, Friday, at 3:30 (PT) as freshman Geoff Davis is set to compete in the men's high jump. Continue following the Boilermakers' performances at the Official Purdue Athletics Twitter page.