LEXINGTON, Ky. – Purdue Track & Field’s Seamus Malaski put on a show Wednesday when he earned a spot at nationals in both the hammer throw and shot put. Samuel Vessat added a second-place finish in his first round 400m heat to qualify for Friday’s quarterfinal.
Day One Notes
• Malaski earned his spot at the national meet in the hammer throw with a personal best of over two meters after he threw 69.77m (228-11). He finished second in the NCAA East First Round and, combined with the west region, he had the seventh-furthest throw. Only those seven athletes threw further than 69 meters in first round competition. He jumped to second from fourth in the Purdue record book.
• Malaski added his second NCAAs qualification in the shot put when he threw 18.86m (61-10.50) to finish eighth. Only a redshirt freshman, Malaski was the lone NCAA East First Round athlete to qualify in both the hammer throw and shot put. He will look to complete the trifecta on Friday in the discus.
• Vessat took second in his heat and 12th overall in the 400m first round in 45.41. He will look to qualify for his second Division I NCAA Championships in the 400m after he qualified and finished sixth indoors.
• Leo Maxwell concluded his collegiate career 30th in the hammer throw (62.10m / 203-09). He finishes as a three-time NCAA East First Round qualifier and ninth in Purdue history in the event.
• Hugh Jacobsmeyer wrapped up his record-setting sophomore campaign 33rd in the 800m (1:48.64). His 2026 featured school records in the 800m, both indoors and outdoors, and in the 1500m.
• Nathan Walker took 44th in the 10,000m to conclude Purdue’s opening day of the NCAA East First Round. Walker finishes his career as a cross country All-Region and two-time All-Big Ten selection.
• Joel Gates finished 45th in the shot put (16.81m / 55-02.00). His season continues on Friday in the discus.
Next Up
Purdue’s women’s team opens their portion of the NCAA East First Round starting on Thursday at 6 p.m. ET.
