Sophomore Lillian Hurd Breaks 2nd School Record This Season

Lillian Hurd crossed the finish line at Indianapolis Fairgrounds and made history for the second time this season.

The Purdue Fort Wayne sophomore sprinter broke her school's 200-meter dash record on Friday night, clocking in at 24.56 seconds during the Crossroads of America meet. The previous record had stood as one of the last barriers for the Mastodons' track program to break.

This wasn't Hurd's first time rewriting the record books. Just seven weeks earlier at the Blue-Gold Invitational in December, she set a new school record in the 300-meter dash. Two records in one season is rare for any collegiate athlete, especially a sophomore still finding her stride.

The Indianapolis meet turned into a breakout night for the entire Purdue Fort Wayne sprint team. Teammates Lena James and Sanayah Ruffin both ran personal records in the same 200-meter event, finishing at 24.90 and 25.89 seconds respectively. When one athlete rises, she often brings her teammates with her.

Why This Inspires

Hurd's achievement shows what happens when talent meets consistent training. Record-breaking performances don't appear overnight. They're built through countless early morning practices, weekend meets, and the determination to push past what seemed impossible yesterday.

Her success also highlights the power of believing in yourself before anyone else does. Sophomore year is when many athletes are still figuring out their potential. Hurd decided not to wait.

The Mastodons compete again Saturday at the Notre Dame Invitational, where Hurd and her teammates will look to carry this momentum into their next challenge. For now, though, the Purdue Fort Wayne record books have a new name permanently etched in their history.