Valparaiso's men's track and field team opened up its 2004 outdoor campaign on Friday and Saturday afternoon at the Purdue Open held in West Lafayette, Ind.

The non-scoring meet allowed the Crusaders to compete in the elements for the first time and allow the freshmen to get a taste of outdoor competition.

Matt Larson (Arlington Heights, Ill./St. Viator H.S.) bettered his own school record in the hammer throw by an inch to finish in tenth place in the event with a toss of 141'6". Todd Goodrick (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester H.S.) finished fourth in the shot put with a toss of 48'11 ½", while Kristopher Schmautz (Missoula, Mont./Hellgate H.S.) earned the same finish in the javelin with a throw of 159'6".

Elsewhere in the field events, Wesley Kosko (Emporia, Kan./Emporia H.S.) placed fifth in the long jump with a leap of 21'0 ¾", while Josh Stamper (DeMotte, Ind./Kankakee Valley H.S.) cleared 12'11 ½" in the pole vault to finish fifth.

On the oval, Adam Wierciak (Ottawa, Ill./Marquette H.S.) finished fifth in the 400m run with a time of 51.30 seconds, while also placing second in the 400m hurdles crossing the finish line in a time of 55.55 seconds. Chris Orosz (Holland, Ohio/St. John's Jesuit H.S.) also earned a runner-up finish, doing so in the 5000m run with a time of 15:53.01.

The Crusaders will return to the track next Saturday as they compete in Greencastle, Ind. in a quadrangular meet with DePauw, Butler, and Indiana Wesleyan.