Feb. 1, 2008
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The dual between No. 12 Purdue and No. 8 Minnesota is living up to its billing as Swimming World Magazine's Meet of the Week.
The Golden Gophers lead Purdue by just six points, 96-90, following the first day of competition at the Big Ten Triangular, which also includes Wisconsin.
The Badgers trail Purdue 139-47, and Minnesota, 129-57.
The Boilermakers won six individual events, including two by senior Romain Maire in the 200 individual medley and 200 backstroke. The Golden Gophers responded with relay victories in the 200 freestyle and 400 medley.
Ray Bertuzzi (500 free - 4:26.61) and Colin Lee-To (100 breast - 54.55) also were victorious for Minnesota.
Maire's winning 200 IM mark of 1:50.20 was the team's fastest of the season by over two seconds. His 200 back time of 1:47.83 is second only to Ilia Ayzenshtok (1:46.71) this season.
Purdue men's head coach Dan Ross was thrilled with Maire's performances.
"Romain put us on his back and carried us tonight," Ross said. "He stepped up, recorded season bests in the 200 IM and back and also had a nice 100 split leading off the 400 medley relay."
Maire's 100 back split of 50.03 helped Purdue finish second to Minnesota in the night's final event with a time of 3:18.64.
Elsewhere in the pool, John Schmitt won the 100 free with a season best time of 44.93.
Andrew Langenfeld won the 200 butterfly with an NCAA provisional cut of 1:46.97. The Centralia, Ill., native has posted consideration marks in both fly events this season.
Langenfeld's 200 free relay, which also featured Schmitt, John Mullen and Eddie Kenney, came in second with a season best of 1:21.33. Langenfeld's leadoff split was clocked at 20.45.
Aaron Koger recorded the team's fastest mark in the 100 breast this year, coming in third with a 55.33.
Purdue diving had few problems with the Gophers or Badgers as David Colturi and Kyle Mitrione exchanged victories.
Colturi won the 1-meter title with a new freshman record of 347.45 points, eclipsing his previous rookie standard of 337.35, which was set at November's Purdue Invitational.
Mitrione, who finished a distant second to Colturi with 308.10 points, began the night with a personal record of 351.35 points on 3-meter. His previous best was listed at 336.40.
Zach Schultz was third on 3-meter with 336.95 points, completing a Purdue sweep of the top-three spots in that event.
The Boilermakers, Badgers and Golden Gophers resume competition Saturday at noon. Admission to all Boilermaker Aquatic Center regular-season meets is free.