Sometimes, Jon Pullum needs the help of a higher power to get him through the difficult, long days. “I pray often throughout the day beginning from morning to evening,” he said. “(That) keeps me going through the toughest times.”

As far as Pullum’s performance on the track goes, it’s pretty clear that God has been listening.

The sophomore track and field standout has been one of the most consistent performers on the track, already placing himself as one of the best throwers in Purdue’s history.

Originally a walk-on athlete with the Boilermakers, Pullum has collected a list of the following prestigious awards this season:

• Highlighted by All-America honors in the 35-pound weight throw competition at the NCAA Indoor Championships
• United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, Great Lakes Region Men’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Year
• Big Ten Men’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Year
• Big Ten Men’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week (three times this winter) and now holds the second-longest mark in school history in the weight throw at 22.02 meters (72’03”), just two centimeters shy of the Purdue record.

This comes in the wake of the 2007 Big Ten discus championship, Big Ten Outdoor Freshman of the Year honors and a trip to the 2007 NCAA Mideast Regional Championships. However, all of his success on the field, coupled with his success in the classroom is not without a price.

Pullum, who intends to double major in political science and communication, has a schedule similar to many of his teammates. Generally, he has classes that can begin as early as 7:30 a.m. and last until 1 or 2 p.m. After that, Pullum says he has about an hour to eat lunch before he has to head to the track for his daily workouts, which can last up to four hours.

“My goal each day is to always take at least one thing good away from practice, and build on other things if the need is there,” he said.

After he finishes honing his skills on the track, Pullum heads home to eat dinner. Then, he refines his classroom skills by completing any homework he has to do for the day, before he tries to get to bed by or before midnight.

“Any athlete realizes that you have to make the most of your time during the week at Purdue, so you can accommodate for time lost while on the road,” Pullum said.

Pullum said his first priority is in the classroom and that the time he spends on the track, most of which has been quite successful, is just a bonus.

“For me, success comes by getting all the academic things that I need done and accomplished, and then approaching practice and track as a release from daily life,” he said. “I have high goals in the classroom and on the track, so I can't afford to let either one of them slide.”