IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Purdue track & field team set another top-10 mark in program history and earned four victories to conclude the Hawkeye Big Ten Opener on Saturday afternoon in Iowa City, Iowa.
Sophomore Johnny Vanos moved up the all-time list in the weight throw to No. 6, while seniors Brian Faust and Tamar Greene and sophomore Kerris Roberts won their events to go along with a victory by the men's 4x400 relay squad. The Boilermakers also had two runner-up finishes and three bronze medals and nine personal-best marks were set.
Purdue led all teams with nine victories at the two-day meet that featured seven other Big Ten teams. A total of four top-10 marks in team history and 17 personal-record scores were set by Boilermakers. Along with host-Iowa, the Hawkeye Big Ten Invitational field included Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern and Wisconsin at the University of Iowa Recreation Building.
"This was meet No. 4 for us, and up to this point it was our best effort yet, our best showing yet," Purdue coach Norbert Elliott said. "I am proud of so many different areas today, both on the track and in the field, and we had several PRs and top-10 marks in school history. With two more weeks until the Big Ten Championships, I think the main challenge is to stay healthy and COVID-free.
"I want to specifically recognize Johnny, for his top-10 throw in the weight throw, and Brian, Tamar, Kerris and our men's 4x400 for their wins today. Freshmen LJ Hill and Deborah Obadofin, a walk-on, had notable triple jump PRs and did a tremendous job. I also am happy to see our men's 4x400 relay have a respectable time and get the win. You always want to win the 4x400, it lifts the team's spirits going into the week of training and it's great to end the meet on a high note."
In the day's opening event, Vanos moved up on Purdue's all-time weight throw list with a mark of 20.47. The sixth-best throw in school history, he placed fourth in the event and improved on his previous PR of 20.31, which was No. 7 in the record books.
The Boilermakers' first win of the day came in the triple jump, as Greene earned his second victory in the event in as many meets to open the season. He recorded a jump of 15.57 meters to win by just one centimeter. Freshman LJ Hill was third with a personal-best mark of 15.22 and has placed in the top-three at all three meets to begin his career.
A day after she ran the seventh-fastest 60-dash time in program history, Roberts won the 200 with a time of 24.02. Her first win of the season came by 0.24 seconds.
Faust completed the 200 sweep with a victory in the men's competition. In his first collegiate race in the event indoors, Faust finished in 21.49 for his second win of the weekend. Sophomore Marcellus Moore earned a runner-up finish in 21.53, a day after he notched a 60-dash victory.
Purdue's final win was in the meet's last event, the men's 4x400 relay. Freshman Jahn Riley, Faust, sophomore Jabari Bryant and junior Amir Harris finished in 3:12.60 to win by 0.41 seconds.
Senior Jalil Brewer was second in the shot put, with a throw of 19.07 meters, as he collected his third runner-up performance of the season.
Freshman Deborah Obadofin earned a personal-best triple jump mark of 12.15 meters to finish third in the event. Additionally, sophomore Ella Robinson was third in the 600, in 1:34.50.
In the second-to-last race of the weekend, the women's 4x400, Purdue was fourth overall with a time of 3:44.79.
Personal-best marks were recorded by senior Anna Morozov (3,000: 10:17.55), sophomores Simi Akinrinsola (weight throw: 18.37m), Andrew Brandt (3,000: 8:13.64), Blake Selm (3,000: 8:15.00) and Emma Tate (3,000: 9:37.01) and freshman Logan Sandlin (pole vault: 4.45m). Freshman Katelyn Wasson made her collegiate indoor track & field debut in the 3,000 and ran a 9:56.65.
On Friday, Purdue's top-10 marks in school history came courtesy of junior Bailey McIntire in the 5,000, Roberts in the 60-meter dash and freshman K'Ja Talley in the 60 hurdles. The Boilermakers' five wins were thanks to senior Curt Eckstein in the 5,000, Faust in the 400, sophomore Ian Hunter and freshman Payne Turney in the mile and Moore in the 60. A complete recap from the day can be found at PurdueSports.com/TrackField.
Up next, Purdue faces in-state rival Indiana on Saturday, Feb. 20, at Gladstein Fieldhouse in Bloomington.
For more on the Purdue track & field and cross country program, visit PurdueSports.com/TrackField and follow and connect with the Boilermakers on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Sophomore Johnny Vanos moved up the all-time list in the weight throw to No. 6, while seniors Brian Faust and Tamar Greene and sophomore Kerris Roberts won their events to go along with a victory by the men's 4x400 relay squad. The Boilermakers also had two runner-up finishes and three bronze medals and nine personal-best marks were set.
Purdue led all teams with nine victories at the two-day meet that featured seven other Big Ten teams. A total of four top-10 marks in team history and 17 personal-record scores were set by Boilermakers. Along with host-Iowa, the Hawkeye Big Ten Invitational field included Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern and Wisconsin at the University of Iowa Recreation Building.
"This was meet No. 4 for us, and up to this point it was our best effort yet, our best showing yet," Purdue coach Norbert Elliott said. "I am proud of so many different areas today, both on the track and in the field, and we had several PRs and top-10 marks in school history. With two more weeks until the Big Ten Championships, I think the main challenge is to stay healthy and COVID-free.
"I want to specifically recognize Johnny, for his top-10 throw in the weight throw, and Brian, Tamar, Kerris and our men's 4x400 for their wins today. Freshmen LJ Hill and Deborah Obadofin, a walk-on, had notable triple jump PRs and did a tremendous job. I also am happy to see our men's 4x400 relay have a respectable time and get the win. You always want to win the 4x400, it lifts the team's spirits going into the week of training and it's great to end the meet on a high note."
In the day's opening event, Vanos moved up on Purdue's all-time weight throw list with a mark of 20.47. The sixth-best throw in school history, he placed fourth in the event and improved on his previous PR of 20.31, which was No. 7 in the record books.
The Boilermakers' first win of the day came in the triple jump, as Greene earned his second victory in the event in as many meets to open the season. He recorded a jump of 15.57 meters to win by just one centimeter. Freshman LJ Hill was third with a personal-best mark of 15.22 and has placed in the top-three at all three meets to begin his career.
A day after she ran the seventh-fastest 60-dash time in program history, Roberts won the 200 with a time of 24.02. Her first win of the season came by 0.24 seconds.
Faust completed the 200 sweep with a victory in the men's competition. In his first collegiate race in the event indoors, Faust finished in 21.49 for his second win of the weekend. Sophomore Marcellus Moore earned a runner-up finish in 21.53, a day after he notched a 60-dash victory.
Purdue's final win was in the meet's last event, the men's 4x400 relay. Freshman Jahn Riley, Faust, sophomore Jabari Bryant and junior Amir Harris finished in 3:12.60 to win by 0.41 seconds.
Senior Jalil Brewer was second in the shot put, with a throw of 19.07 meters, as he collected his third runner-up performance of the season.
Freshman Deborah Obadofin earned a personal-best triple jump mark of 12.15 meters to finish third in the event. Additionally, sophomore Ella Robinson was third in the 600, in 1:34.50.
In the second-to-last race of the weekend, the women's 4x400, Purdue was fourth overall with a time of 3:44.79.
Personal-best marks were recorded by senior Anna Morozov (3,000: 10:17.55), sophomores Simi Akinrinsola (weight throw: 18.37m), Andrew Brandt (3,000: 8:13.64), Blake Selm (3,000: 8:15.00) and Emma Tate (3,000: 9:37.01) and freshman Logan Sandlin (pole vault: 4.45m). Freshman Katelyn Wasson made her collegiate indoor track & field debut in the 3,000 and ran a 9:56.65.
On Friday, Purdue's top-10 marks in school history came courtesy of junior Bailey McIntire in the 5,000, Roberts in the 60-meter dash and freshman K'Ja Talley in the 60 hurdles. The Boilermakers' five wins were thanks to senior Curt Eckstein in the 5,000, Faust in the 400, sophomore Ian Hunter and freshman Payne Turney in the mile and Moore in the 60. A complete recap from the day can be found at PurdueSports.com/TrackField.
Up next, Purdue faces in-state rival Indiana on Saturday, Feb. 20, at Gladstein Fieldhouse in Bloomington.
For more on the Purdue track & field and cross country program, visit PurdueSports.com/TrackField and follow and connect with the Boilermakers on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.