Boilers pursue All- American status

By Keith Thomas
Summer Editor

A total of eight Boilermakers will be attempting to gain All-American status beginning this afternoon at the NCAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships on the campus of Duke University.

The championships, which continue through June 3, feature five members of the men's team and three from the women's squad. The men have not sent five track and field athletes to the NCAA Championships in years. If throwers Chris Spurrier and Chris Brown, high jumpers Shawn Guice and Ryan Fitzpatric and triple jumper Ike Olekaibe are able to finish in the top eight in their respective events, it would be a first for Purdue.

It would mark the first time Purdue has ever had five All-Americans in one season – a mark attainable for those who finish in the top eight.

"We're very excited," said assistant men's coach Lissa Olson. "This the most men athletes qualified to go in several years.

"All of their goals are to gain All-American status."

Probably most likely to obtain All-American status is senior co-captain Ike Olekaibe.

Olekaibe finished second at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships and is currently ranked fourth among the triple jump competitors.

Throwers and high jumpers have come in pairs for the Boilers this season, as Brown and Spurrier rarely compete without each other.

"I feel great about Purdue being represented in a bigger way than we have in a long time," said Brown.

With Brown being named an indoor All-American this season in the hammer throw and Spurrier finishing third in the shot put at the Big Ten meet, the duo making it this far is not a surprise.

What may be a surprise, however, is that two high jumpers were able to both make it to the final tournament of the year.

Guice, the Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Year and indoor All-American, was selected along with teammate and jumping partner Fitzpatric.

"Seems like things happen in twos this year," said Olson. "(Brown) and (Spurrier), (Guice) and (Fitzpatric); it's been strange like that."

The new duo of Guice and Fitzpatric is similar to that of the existing and experienced combination of Brown and Spurrier. There are, however, a few differences that Olson said helps the young jumpers to help each other.

"They (Guice and Fitzpatric) competed against each other all through high school," said Olson. "They really push each other."

"They would not be jumping so high with out competing and pushing each other."

Although the women have three individuals representing Purdue at the championships, they actually have four chances between them to become All-Americans.

Junior Serene Ross, who was an All-American in the javelin in last year's championship meet, was able to qualify for two events this year. Ross was able to qualify for the championship meet in the javelin and the hammer throw.

"I was really excited about getting in for the hammer throw, because Javelin, I knew I was already in for," said Ross. "Making it to finals in both events, that would be an accomplishment."

Women's assistant coach Brian Murer said he is equally excited and impressed that Ross is able to get a shot at All-American honors in two different events.

"Really, it’s a testament to what a great athlete she really is," said Murer.

Accompanying Ross to Durham, N.C., are senior Carri Long and sophomore Ebby Metzinger.

Long, who has already qualified for an opportunity to try out for the Olympic team, will be participating in the high jump. In this event, Long was able to finish in second at the 2000 Indoor Championships and is a likely candidate for All-American honors.

"Of course Carri Long was a runner-up indoors, so she's going to be right up there at the top ready to battle," said Murer. "So, she'll contend for a top-five spot."

The final member of the women's squad to gain an invitation to this years season finale is Metzinger.

"Ebby, it'll be her first trip there, but she is the Big Ten record holder. She's one heck of a competitor," said Murer.

A native of West Lafayette, Metzinger was able to break Big Ten and school records while winning the 2000 Big Ten Outdoor Championship in the pole vault.

"I'm very excited. This is going to be my first national competition like this," said Metzinger.