Purdue looks forward to swim championship

By Doug Healey
Staff Writer

Purdue senior All-American Matt Martin will look to de-throne Michigan's Olympic bronze medalist and three-time Big Ten Champion Chris Thompson at the 91st Annual Big Ten Men's Swimming and Diving Championships.

Martin and Thompson will battle in the 500 freestyle, 1,000 freestyle and1,650 freestyle in the competition, which begins today in Minneapolis.

Teammate and fellow co-captain Matt Garrison is looking forward to watching the matchup.

"They stare each other down before the race," said Garrison. "It's going to be a lot of fun. They make the most boring event (1,650) exciting to watch."

The No. 21 Boilers, who placed seventh a year ago, are up against steep competition as No. 9 Michigan looks to repeat as Big Ten champions. No. 16 Minnesota, last year's runner-up, No. 13 Penn State and No. 22 Wisconsin will also look to challenge the Wolverines for this year's championship.

Purdue coach Dan Ross had his best finish in 1997 when his Boilers finished fourth. He is very optimistic about his team's chances going into this weekend's competition in what he calls the deepest conference in America from top to bottom. He said it's a reachable goal for the Boilers to finish in the top four at the Big Ten meet once again.

"We can compete with anybody," Ross said. "It's just a matter of racing. This is what you live for."

The Big Ten Championships, which end Saturday, should prove to be a special moment for the team's six seniors.

"It's a big deal for all of the seniors because it's our last meet with the whole team," said Garrison. "This whole team is so close."

Martin, a two-time team captain, agrees with Garrison.

"We have come together as a group," Martin said. "Everybody motivates each other, and our team goals are definitely primary."

Other seniors participating in their last Big Ten Championships are sprint freestyler David Weis, and backstrokers Juan Rodela, John Wakefield, and Ian Caswell.

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Purdue looks forward to swim championship

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