Oct. 29, 2004
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The 23rd-ranked Boilermakers avenged last year's loss to Arizona State with a 153.5-146.5 decision over the Sun Devils Friday night at the Boilermaker Aquatic Center. Multiple victories were scored by reliables Louis Paul and Giordan Pogioli, as well as newcomer Romain Maire.
Purdue lost to ASU in Tempe, Ariz., last season, 180-120.
Maire, a product of Dijon, France, arrived ready to compete against the 17th-ranked Sun Devils, winning both backstroke events in addition to the 400 medley and freestyle relays. Maire's times were 50.77 in the 100 and 1:49.15 in the 200; his relay splits were 50.65 in the medley and 46.1 in the free.
The versatile Paul also came out of the meet with four wins, including the opening 400 medley relay. With Maire's strong presence in the backstroke, Paul moved into the sprint freestyle and butterfly races and won all three competitions.
Paul's winning marks were 1:40.61 (200 free), 45.66 (100 free) and 50.95 (100 fly).
All-American Pogioli entered this season considered one of the top breaststroke swimmers in the nation, and proved it against ASU, winning the 100 in 56.57 and the 200 in 2:01.08. Pogioli showcased his dominance, beating the Sun Devil's runner-up by nearly two seconds in each race.
Also coming up big for Purdue in its season-opening victory were Trey Smith, Iggy Goh and David Hughes. Goh and Hughes finished as the runner-up to Paul and Maire in the 100 fly and 100 back, while Smith was part of both winning relay squads. Hughes also came away with a third-place showing in the 200 back.
Although Purdue had led for most of the meet, their 400 free relay team helped clinch the victory in the night's final race. This team, which was comprised of two freshmen (Maire and John Mullen), a sophomore (Smith) and a junior (Eric Prugh), beat an ASU squad that was anchored by three seniors and a sophomore.
On the diving boards, Purdue survived two wins by All-American and 2004 3-meter springboard champion Joona Puhakka. The Sun Devil's diving ace won the 1-meter title with a score of 368.35 and the 3-meter crown with a pool-record total of 351.50 points. The previous six-dive record of 344.70 was set by Ohio State's Keith Knowling in 2001.
Boilermakers Steve LoBue and Clay Davis helped break up the Sun Devil scoring, by placing second (318.55) and third (298.60) off the 1-meter. In 3-meter competition, sophomore LoBue again placed second (316.40).
Purdue has little time to rest as the team returns to action Saturday at noon for the Indiana Intercollegiates. Attending this year's meet are men's and women's teams from Ball State, Butler, Indianapolis, IUPUI, Valparaiso and Vincennes. The Arizona State men also will compete in this annual event.