WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Three top-10 throws in program history highlighted the hammer throw on the opening day of the Rankin/Poehlein Invitational. Micaela Hazlewood won the women's event after hitting the 60-meter mark (196-10) for the first time in her career.
After a solid opening three throws, the women came alive in the fourth round. First, Hazlewood threw 60.17m (197-5), which is the third-best throw in program history and the best since 2007. That throw was enough for her to win the event. Next, it was Alisha Bahler who threw 59.28m (194-6), which was a personal record by nine feet, two inches. Bahler's throw climbs her into the top 10 in program history for the first time in the event and she ranks fifth. Then it was Sarah Loesch's turn to PR. Loesch's first fair throw came on her second attempt and was a one centimeter PR with a distance of 57.64m (189-1), but it was her fourth throw that moved her up the list. She hit 58.51m (191-11), which is two feet, 10 inches better than her PR coming into the meet and ranks eighth in school history. All three marks currently qualify for the NCAA East Prelims.
The women swept the top three spots over Indiana.
On the men's side, Luke Lewis finished runner-up with a throw of 55.21m (181-1), which came on his opening attempt. Caleb Fricke finished third with a throw of 53.17m (174-5), which came on his fifth attempt.
Jessica DelBovo and Devon Pessler also competed in the women's hammer throw. DelBovo took sixth with a throw of 51.07m (167-6), while Pessler was seventh with a throw of 47.50m (155-10).
The Boilermakers will be back tomorrow for the second day of the meet. The day begins at 11 a.m. ET with the men's javelin. Track events will start at 1:45 p.m. after senior recognitions.