Bloomington, Ind. - The Purdue track & field team opened its indoor season at the Hoosier Open, posting program and meet records in the process.
Newcomer Brian Faust and veteran Samara Miller set Purdue bests in the 500-meter dash, while another newcomer, Samson Colebrooke broke the meet record in the 60-meter dash.
Faust secured a victory in the men's 500-meter dash with a time of 1:01.70, snapping Purdue's 28 year-old record by two seconds. Faust, a sophomore transfer from Villanova, bested his indoor time from last season, which was the second-fastest time in the nation.
Miller became the fastest 500-meter dash runner in Boilermaker history after placing first with a time of 1:10.95, just shy of the Hoosier Open and Gladstein facility records. Miller's time was originally disqualified, however upon review, her run was reinstated.
Colebrooke ran a 6.68 second 60-meter dash to tie Indiana's Rikko Brathwaite for the fastest time in the nation this year. However, in the tie-breaker, Colebrooke finished in second-place with a .002 second difference with Brathwaite. With the race, the two broke the five year-old Hoosier Open record, which was held at 6.69 seconds.
SO. CLOSE.
— Purdue Track & Field / Cross Country (@PurdueTrackXC) December 7, 2018
Samson Colebrooke and IU's Riko Brathwaite both cross the finish line in 6.68 seconds, setting a new facility record in the 60-meter dash. ????
Colebrooke's time is the 5th fastest by a Boilermaker in school history. #BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/CENh3jN2G9
The freshmen are off to a strong start with 3?? advancing to the 60m Hurdle Finals:
— Purdue Track & Field / Cross Country (@PurdueTrackXC) December 7, 2018
Amaya Chadwick (W)
Blanchard Montgomery IV (M)
Isaiah Martin (M)#BoilerUp ?? pic.twitter.com/gJGEWOEmTK
In the women's 4x400-meter relays, the defending meet record holders ran the third-fastest time in the nation this year and was on track to win the event, but was passed by Kentucky in the final strides of the race to finish in second-place with 3:42.70.
All-American Sarah Loesch is picking up where she left off last season by securing the best weight throw mark in the nation with a distance of 21.37m/70-01.50.The freshmen are off to a strong start with 3?? advancing to the 60m Hurdle Finals:
— Purdue Track & Field / Cross Country (@PurdueTrackXC) December 7, 2018
Amaya Chadwick (W)
Blanchard Montgomery IV (M)
Isaiah Martin (M)#BoilerUp ?? pic.twitter.com/gJGEWOEmTK
Throws Finals Results ??
— Purdue Track & Field / Cross Country (@PurdueTrackXC) December 7, 2018
Women's 20lb Weight Throw:
2. @sarahloesch, 21.37m
7. Kaia Harris, 15.12m
Men's 35lb Weight Throw:
3. @A_friendlygiant, 18.77m
#BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/hNuudMKYK0
The Purdue men's triple jump duo of Jah Strange and Tamar Greene placed second and third in the nation, respectively, following their performances in Bloomington. Meanwhile, Strange also earned first place in the long jump.
The Boilermakers will be back in action January 12 at Lambert Fieldhouse for the Gene Edmonds Open.
Program Records
Samara Miller, 500-meter dash, 1:10.95
Brian Faust, 500-meter dash, 1:01.70