Dec. 5, 2005
AUBURN, Ala. - Sophomore Romain Maire placed sixth in the championship finals of the 200-meter backstroke, highlighting Purdue's first night of competition at the U.S. Open.
Maire, who qualified eighth in prelims with a mark of 2:05.91, improved by over a second in finals with a time of 2:04.53.
"The race was hard, but I just kept racing the guy next to me, which helped me improve," said Maire.
University of Florida Olympian Ryan Lochte won the 200 back in 2:00.88, giving him two wins on the night. The Gator also won the 200 individual medley earlier in the night.
Sun Devil Aquatics' Ahmed Hussein (2:01.98) and Omar Pinzon of the Bolles School Sharks (2:03.05) placed second and third.
Paul added two seconds in the championship finals of the 200 IM, going from a prelim time of 2:08.62 to 2:10.57. Paul's mark gave him seventh place.
"I'm disappointed," said Paul. "I didn't get my head in the game. Hopefully I can continue this morning's performance into tomorrow."
Lochte won the 200 IM in 2:01.98 and was followed by Sun Devil Aquatics' Nicholas Brunelli (2:03.13) and Auburn's Eric Shanteau (2:03.56).
Friday, Paul will face an equally elite group of competitors in the 200 free.
"It's going to be a challenge to qualify," said Purdue assistant coach Bill Weaver. "He's going to be among a large field of quality swimmers, but he's capable of beating them."
Maire also is in action Friday, competing in the 100 back. Live results of the U.S. Open can be found via usaswimming.org.
Day One Prelims Recap
AUBURN, Ala. - Purdue swimming went two-for-two during the first day of prelims at the U.S. Open, as Louis Paul and Romain Maire both qualified for the championship finals of their respective events.
Louis Paul finished seventh in the 200-meter individual medley with an in-season personal best of 2:08.62, while Maire placed eighth in the 200 backstroke with a mark of 2:05.91, which qualified him for 2006 French Nationals.
"I'm very happy with my performance," said Paul. "It was a good early swim and hopefully tonight I'll go below a 2:08.00 or 2:06.00."
Paul's time not only qualified him for tonight's final, but it also secured him a spot at the Australian Commonwealth Trials, which begin Jan. 29.
Paul began the race with a 50-meter butterfly split of 27.24, which started him in third place of his heat. He moved into second with a time of 33.04 in the backstroke, and eventually took the lead in the breaststroke (38.20). Paul maintained his lead through the freestyle leg with a split of 30.14.
"I think Louis understands the importance of long-course meter racing, as it pertains to his professional swimming career," said Purdue assistant coach Bill Weaver. "Because he doesn't have many chances to compete, this meet carries a lot of weight. But he's a mature guy who's showed me that he has things figured out."
Nicholas Brunelli of Sun Devil Aquatics posted the best 200 IM prelim time at 2:06.16. Joining Brunelli and Paul in the `A' finals are Auburn's Eric Shanteau, Robert Margalis, Wisconsin's Tim Liebhold, Shaun Fraser, Florida's Ryan Lochte and Dillon Connolly.
Maire finished second in his heat to Lochte, who was a 2004 Olympic gold medalist. The two were neck and neck through the first 150 meters before Lochte turned on his jets and won the heat by over two seconds.
At the halfway point, Lochte and Maire were tied at 1:01.80, and Lochte held a .46 lead at the final turn.
"I think Romain was a bit nervous racing long course, but he went out there and did his job," said Weaver. "It can be tough mentally preparing for a long-course race, especially when you have only been competing short course the last five weeks."
"It was kind of weird racing long course, and even though I've only had two long-course practices as of late, my stroke doesn't feel too bad," said Maire. "I hope my stroke feels better tonight, but I'm here to have fun."
Joining Lochte and Maire in the championship finals of the 200 back are Ahmed Hussein, Omar Pinzon, Trent Staley, Cory Chitwood, Wisconsin's Adam Mania and Auburn's Doug Van Wie.
Hussein posted the fastest 200 back time of the morning at 2:01.44.
Paul's race is scheduled to start at 6:19 p.m. (CST), and Maire's race is slated to start at 7:48 p.m. Live results are provided through usaswimming.org.