Swimming, diving teams gain
first dual meet win
By Greg Conner
Staff
Writer
Both the Purdue men's and women's swimming and
diving teams captured their first dual meet victory of the season Friday
night, as the Boilers defeated Miami of Ohio.
"I really see our guys swimming with a lot of confidence,"
said Purdue men's swimming coach Dan Ross, whose team won by the score
of 172.5 to 122.5.
Confidence was high on the women's side too, as
the Purdue women's swimming and diving team bounced back from a tough
loss to Notre Dame Thursday night to soundly defeat Miami by the score
of 184 to 116.
"We made it through," said Purdue women's coach
Cathy Wright-Eger, whose team improved to 1-1 in dual meet competition.
"We were tired and that was very obvious. I think we did a great job
of preventing a let down from yesterday."
The Boilers had three first-place finishes in the
diving competition, which is something the coaches said they have not
seen in a while.
"My hat's off to Wenbo Chen," said Ross, referring
to Purdue's diving coach. "That’s the first time we have won a
diving event in a long time."
Purdue sophomore transfer Eric Warrick set a new
Boilermaker Aquatic Center record in his victory in the three-meter
springboard competition. On the women's side, fifth-year senior Kara
Hajek-Gustafson not only set a new Boilermaker Aquatic center record
in her victory in the one-meter springboard competition, but she also
qualified for the NCAA Regional competition in both the one and three
meter events.
"It's just nice to not have to worry about getting
the cuts anymore, and, at the same time, just know that I'm diving well,"
said Hajek-Gustafson.
Hajek-Gustafson's great start this season has impressed
Wright-Eger.
"I feel like she is getting more and more confident
each day that Wenbo is here," said Wright-Eger.
Now, only three weeks on the job, Chen is happy
with the effort his team has put forth so far.
"I think we competed very well tonight," said Chen.
"We were really focused, and that is really pleasing this early in the
season."
Another Boiler who performed well for the women
in Friday night's meet was freshman Christine Leupold. Capturing victories
in both the 1000 and 500-yard freestyles, Leupold said she's excited
about the season.
"My swims felt really good this evening," said
Leupold. "I'd never swam the 1000 before and I wasn't sure on what type
of strategy to use, but I really felt strong in the water and knew I
could bring it home strong."
On the men's side, junior Tad Sayce helped the
Boilers to two new Boilermaker Aquatic Center records in both the 400-yard
medley relay and 400-yard freestyle relay.
"My body was hurting the whole time," said Sayce.
"We have had some really hard practices this week, but when you're going
through training like this you can't listen to your body at all. It's
all about getting your hand on the wall and winning, and that’s
what I tried to do tonight, just race."
Both teams will be back in action Saturday afternoon
with Big Ten match-ups. The men will take on Iowa at 11 a.m., while
the women will take on both Ohio State and Iowa at 2 p.m.
"I know we will be ready," said Sayce. "We're swimming
a lot better right now than we did this time last year."
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