Dec. 5, 2005
AUBURN, Ala. - Louis Paul completed his stay at the U.S. Open Saturday night with an eighth-place finish in the consolation finals of the 100-meter freestyle.
Paul's finals mark of 52.85 was slightly higher than his prelim time of 52.59. His 25-meter splits tonight were clocked at 25.49 and 27.36.
Nicholas Brunelli won the 100 free with a meet record time of 48.98 seconds. He was followed to the wall by Pieter van den Hoogenband (49.34) and South African Olympian Darian Townsend (49.96).
Paul was bumped up to the consolation round from the bonus round after Klete Keller of Club Wolverine and Shaun Fraser of the Bolles School both removed themselves from competition.
The U.S. Open will be Paul's last United States-based meet for some time. The Sydney, Australia, native returns to his homeland following final exams and won't return stateside until next fall.
Paul is slated to compete in a number of meets early next year, including the Australian Commonwealth Trials and the World Championships in Shanghai.
Purdue next competes as a team Jan. 6, when it travels to Arizona State for a two-day dual meet with the Sun Devils.
U.S. Open Day Three Prelims Recap
AUBURN, Ala. - Louis Paul qualified for his third night swim in as many days during Saturday's prelim session at the U.S. Open. The native of Sydney, Australia, finished 18th overall in the 100-meter freestyle, recording an in-season best of 52.59.
His 50-meter splits were clocked at 25.32 and 27.27.
"He came here to swim six times - and he's accomplished that goal," said Purdue assistant coach Bill Weaver. "It's a very big deal for him to make it to six swims, considering he hasn't competed much this fall."
Paul's time qualified him for his third event at January's Australian Commonwealth Games Trials. Thursday, Paul made the cut for the 200 individual medley, and Friday qualified for the 200 freestyle.
The bonus finals of the 100 free begin at 6:12 p.m. (CST). Live results of the U.S. Open can be found via omegatiming.com or usaswimming.com.