· Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
· Academic All-Big Ten
· CSCAA Honorable Mention Scholar All-America
• Competed primarily in the butterfly events
• Posted career-best times in the 100 (49.85) and 200 fly (1:47.13) at the Big Ten Championships
• Recorded his season best in the 500 free (4:36.00) at the Purdue Invitational
• Finished his career ranked ninth in program history in the 200 fly
• Accounted for 13 team points at Big Tens by qualifying for the B final of the 200 fly
• Qualified for the A final of the 200 fly at the Purdue Invitational to account for 11 team points
• Also qualified for the D final of the 100 fly and 500 free at the Purdue Invite
2016-17 / AS A JUNIOR
· Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
· Academic All-Big Ten
· Competed primarily in the 200 butterfly and 500 freestyle
· Posted a career-best time in the 200 fly (1:48.40) at the Big Ten Championships, recording the second-fastest mark on the team in 2016-17 and accounting for four team points by qualifying for the C final
· Season best in the 500 free (4:36.03) was also at Big Tens
· Scored in the mile (10th place) and the 200 fly at Virginia Tech's H2Okie Fall Invitational, accounting for eight team points
· Also posted his season best in the 100 fly (51.85) at Va Tech
· Won his heat of both the 100 fly and 500 free at the Indiana Intercollegiates
· Represented Purdue at the U.S. Open Championships in August
2015-16 / AS A SOPHOMORE
· Competed primarily in the 200 butterfly and 500 freestyle
· Posted season-best times in the 200 fly (1:49.23) and 500 free (4:33.95) at the Purdue First Chance meet
· Finished sixth in the B final of the 200 fly and 14th overall in the mile at the Purdue Invitational to account for six team points
· Improved on his 500 free time by 21 seconds from the Indiana Intercollegiates in October and First Chance meet in February
· Qualified for the C final of the 100 fly with a time of 52.09 at the Purdue Invitational
· Runner-up in the 200 fly at the First Chance meet with a time that ranked as the fourth fastest on the team in 2015-16
· Joined the program at the start of his sophomore year at Purdue
HIGH SCHOOL
· Four-year state qualifier while competing under the guidance of coaches Chris Knoblauch and Bill Close
· Season-best time in the 200 fly of 1:53.03 as a high school senior
· Best times as a junior included 15:51.63 in the mile, 9:31.47 in the 1000 free and 1:54.32 in the 200 fly
· Competed at the Minnesota Grand Prix meet and qualified for Winter Junior Nationals
· Two-time scholastic All-American
· Three-year member of the National Honor Society
· Four-year honor roll student
PERSONAL
· Major: Health Science (Pre-Dental)
· Full name is Alexander Scott Close
· Born in Cleveland, Ohio
· Parents are Scott and Jackie Close
· Family also includes younger siblings Natalie and Benjamin
· His mother is among the coaching staff with the Three Rivers Aquatic Club in Fort Wayne
PURDUE PERSONAL PREFERENCES
Favorite Pro Team: Chicago Cubs
Favorite Coach: Dan Ross
Favorite Aquatic Center (Other Than Purdue): Allan Jones Aquatic Center (Tennessee)
Swimmer He'd Like to Race Against: Eric Vendt
Most Exciting Event to Watch at a College Meet: 400 IM
Favorite Playoff Format/Marquee Event: The Olympics
Would Like to Have Dinner With: Albert Einstein
Unique Skill/Hidden Talent: Jenga!
In His MP3 Player: Blink 182
Last Concert He Attended: Panic! at the Disco
Musician He'd Love to See Play Purdue: Lil Wayne
Last Book He Read: Tale of Two Cities
Favorite Multimedia App: Netflix
Favorite Actor, Actress & Director: Will Ferrell, Jennifer Aniston & Christopher Nolan
Favorite Movie to Watch on Team Bus: Rush
Favorite Sci-Fi Series: Rick and Morty
Show He Can't Stop Watching: Game of Thrones
Favorite Month: October
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Favorite Food: Ravioli
Favorite Dessert: Cheesecake
Favorite Purdue Building: Mackey Arena
Favorite Big City: Chicago
Unique Travel Locale: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Country He'd Like to Visit: Iceland
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Fishing
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Basketball
Favorite Thing About the Boilermaker Aquatic Center: Hot Tub
Most Memorable Moment at Purdue: Marat Winning the 200M Breaststroke Championship in 2016
Enjoyed this Professor's Class: David Bos, Biology
Animal Friend: Lindsey, Leopard Gecko