Quin Lumbley, of New Palestine, committed to continue her academic and athletic career at Purdue University.
The Daily Reporter File Photo
NEW PALESTINE — Quin Lumbley didn’t need to go anywhere else.
Her one visit to a potential college destination was all she needed.
The standout senior thrower from New Palestine visited Purdue University last weekend.
Earlier this week, she verbally committed to continue her athletic and academic career at the school in West Lafayette.
“They want me to be the best version of myself and they want to work with me to make that happen. That really stood out to me,” Lumbley said of her visit with the Boilermakers track and field program.”
Lumbley said she had talks with Princeton, Gardner-Webb, Pittsburgh and Bowling Green, but she couldn’t pass up a chance to compete in the Big 10.
“I’m so excited, “ she said. “Sometimes it’s hard for me to believe I am really going to Purdue. I feel like the Big 10 is such an achievement for any athlete. I’m super-grateful the coach took a chance on me knowing I had only had one season of track. Being able to see the potential that sometimes I don’t see in myself, that’s exciting to me. I can’t believe I am going to be a Purdue athlete.”
Lumbley missed her freshman season due to the COVID-19 cancellation of spring sports. As a sophomore, a freak injury at a practice kept her from competing.
Last year, as a junior, she set a school record in the shot put, throwing 43-feet, 8-inches at the New Palestine Sectional. She went on to qualify for the IHSAA Girls Track and Field State Finals, finishing eighth.
“She’s battled through a lot of adversity,” said New Palestine throwing coach Kyle Ralph, noting Lumbley missing her first two seasons of high school competition. “To have her first year throwing, technically, in high school, and to burst onto the scene and make it all the way to the state championship in shot put, was outstanding. I think she’s just scratching the surface of what she can do.
“We were at the Indoor State Finals (last winter) and the coach from Purdue came over to talk to me. He was absolutely stuck on her. I told him the back story and the fact she’d really had just a couple months of live throwing under her belt as a high school athlete. She has a tremendous amount of potential.”
Lumbley said Purdue’s interest early was a big factor, too.
“My dad many times has said, ‘Coaches are going to knock on your door when you have an incredible season this season.’ I said, if the coaches didn’t want me after my junior year or after I reached out to them, I don’t know if that’s a school I want to go to. Purdue, the first time they talked with me was at (state) indoor track and they’ve kept in touch with me since March. The fact they had that sort of commitment to me meant a lot to me.”
