Nov. 2, 2012
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- In a dual meet that wasn't decided until the end of the night, the Purdue women's swimming and diving team won the final event, the 400 free relay, to take the tightly-contested head-to-head competition at Notre Dame Friday evening.The No. 24 Purdue women overcame a five-point deficit entering the 400 free relay, winning the dual against the No. 18 Fighting Irish, 152-148. The women defeated UND in dual meet action for the fourth consecutive season.
"It seems like every year our meet with Notre Dame comes down to the last relay," Purdue women's coach John Klinge said. "They have a quality team and coaching staff, and it's always a tough meet. It was a great experience for our swimmers and divers to learn to perform under pressure. There were some great races and some things we need to focus on to get better."
Carly Mercer and Allie Davis led the way for the Purdue women, teaming up to give the Boilers a sweep of the freestyle events. Mercer won the 50, 100 and 200 free and swam the leadoff leg on the victorious 400 free relay team. Davis touched first in the 500 and 1000 free.
Lauren Gustafson tied Mercer for the top spot in the 50 free and swam on both relay winners for Purdue. Rhiannon Sheets placed second in the 200 butterfly and was also part of both relay winners.
Maddie Miskulin won the 3-meter diving, another result that helped the Boilers win the tight dual meet finish. Francesca Marr placed second in both the 200 breast and 400 IM. Alex Todd was honored as the Boilermaker Award winner thanks in part to a runner-up showing in the 100 fly. Amy Katz was second in the 100 back and swam the leadoff leg on the victorious 400 medley relay team.
The Boilermakers conclude their weekend road trip Saturday at Northwestern. The double dual meet is slated to get underway at 2 p.m. ET.
Team Scores
Women: #24 Purdue 152, #18 Notre Dame 148
Purdue Winners & Notables
* -- Purdue Season-Best Time/Score
50 Free
Lauren Gustafson & Carly Mercer, 23.48 (First-Place Tie)
100 Free
Carly Mercer, 50.14*
200 Free
Carly Mercer, 1:49.61*
500 Free
Allie Davis, 4:57.51* (Purdue had top 3 finishers: Davis, Petric & Gallagher)
1000 Free
Allie Davis, 10:07.33* (Davis & Caitlin Hamilton finished 1-2)
100 Back
Amy Katz, 57.39 (Finished 2nd)
200 Back
Colleen Drew, 2:04.85* (Finished 2nd)
100 Breast
Emily Fogle, 1:01.76* (Finished 2nd)
200 Breast
Francesca Marr, 2:16.66* (Finished 2nd)
100 Fly
Alex Todd, 55.78* (Finished 2nd)
200 Fly
Rhiannon Sheets, 2:02.20* (Finished 2nd)
400 IM
Francesca Marr, 4:28.10 (Finished 2nd)
400 Free Relay
Mercer, Nichols, Sheets & Gustafson, 3:23.30*
400 Medley Relay
Katz, Fogle, Sheets & Gustafson, 3:45.22
3-Meter Diving
Maddie Miskulin, 321.68* (Finished 2nd)