Nov. 14, 2009
The Purdue women's swimming and diving team defeated Eastern Michigan 190-124 in a two-day dual that concluded Saturday at Jones Natatorium in Ypsilanti, Mich.
One day after taking nine of 10 events, the Boilermakers won six more and exhibitioned swimmers for the final two races. The Boilermakers began the day with a victory in the 200-yard freestyle relay as Ariel Martin, Lisa Butler, Lauren Nichols and Lauren Gustafson turned in a team-best 1:34.41 time.
Nichols also won the 100 freestyle by touching the wall in a season-best time of 51.58, and Gustafson was the next person to finish with her 52.50 clocking. Classmate Caitlin Hamilton continued her dominance in the distance freestyle events as she won the 500 freestyle in 4:54.00. The Normal, Ill., native, who holds the Purdue freshman record in the 1,000 freestyle, is a perfect seven-for-seven this season in freestyle events 500 yards or longer.
Junior Allie Smith won the 200 backstroke for the second consecutive meet. She touched the wall in 2:04.90 to sweep the backstroke events following her 100 backstroke victory Friday evening. Freshman Seraphina Van won the 100 butterfly with her season-best time of 56.15. Martin and Butler stopped the clock in 57.71 and 59.02, respectively, in their first race in the event this season. Junior Erin Mertz wrapped up the Boilermakers' wins by claiming the 3-meter with her score of 285.68 points.
Senior Christine Inman led Purdue in the 400 IM as she finished second in 4:33.48 in her first attempt at that event this season. Sophomore Amy Gutwein recorded a season-best time of 5:04.37 in the 500 freestyle.
Freshman Ellesse Lunde stopped the clock in 2:22.81 to lead the 200 breaststroke field, but was not credited with a win because of her exhibition status due to Purdue's insurmountable lead in the team race. Martin, Katie Beck, Gustafson and Sara Bogert combined to stop the clock in 3:28.90 in the 400 freestyle relay, but Purdue also exhibitioned each entry in that race and was not awarded any team points.
The Boilermakers improved to 4-0 this season in dual meets, which is the longest winning streak for the team since the 2005-06 squad won six straight to start the season.
Purdue wraps up its fall schedule by hosting the Purdue Invitational next week. Action begins Friday and runs through Sunday at the Boilermaker Aquatic Center.