June 9, 2011
DES MOINES, Iowa - The Purdue women's track and field team nearly found the scoring column on Thursday at the 2011 NCAA Outdoor Championships, hosted by Drake University at Drake Stadium, as senior Emily Breslin fell just shy of a top-eight placing in the women's high jump. Breslin cleared a solid mark of 1.80 meters (5-10.75) to tie for ninth place overall in her second career outing at nationals.
The Boilermaker senior breezed through the first two bars, clearing 1.72 (5-07.75) and 1.76 meters (5-09.25) on her first attempts, and after an unsuccessful opening try at 1.80 meters, found the pit clean on her second try to become one of just 13 out of 24 original entries to clear the height. Due to her one miss at 1.80 meters, Breslin needed a new career best of 1.83 meters (6-00.00), but was unable to clear the bar, setting for a tie with BYU junior Ada Robinson in ninth.
Arizona sophomore Brigetta Barrett claimed the women's high jump crown, clearing 1.86 meters (6-01.25) without a miss on her record to score 10 team points for the Wildcats. Breslin was the top Big Ten finisher in the event, besting Wisconsin junior Monika Jakutyte, who tied for 11th and Ohio State junior Ashley Galbraith, who tied for 18th.
The Purdue men get things underway tomorrow as sophomore Geoff Davis aims for his second consecutive All-America award in the men's high jump at 5:20 p.m. (CT), while classmate Jakob Engel follows closely in the men's shot put at 5:30 p.m.