October 31, 1998
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - With football season in full stride, the Purdue women's swimming team kick started their 1998-99 season with a thrilling 159-141 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes. Coach Cathy Wright-Eger knew this was an extremely important meet for her team. "You hate to put the team in a must win situation this early in the season," Wright-Eger said. "But I thought that it was very critical for us to pull out the victory. We had to do whatever we could to win. Fortunately for us, behind a total team effort, we were able to do just that."
Leading the way for the Boilers was freshman Katie Mullarky and senior Ericka Whyte. Mullarky, stepped up the intensity and won the 200 freestyle beating Iowa's NCAA qualifier from last season Rebecca Schwartz. The Tuscon, Ariz. native was not scheduled to swim the 200, but had to be a late replacement for the scratched Karin Stender. She substituted for the injured Stender, who on Friday was injured when she was struck by a car. She suffered a concussion and did not participate in the meet. It was the first time in four years that Mullarky had raced in the 200 freestyle.
"That was one of the most phenominal swimming efforts I have ever seen," Wright-Eger said. "She went out there today and showed real toughness, especially for a freshman. She grew up real fast today."
Ericka Whyte had her usual day in the Lambert Pool for the Boilers. The Salinas, Calif. native led Purdue with three first-place finishes in the 200 and 400 medley relays and the 50 freestyle. Last year, Whyte finished second in the consolation finals of the 50 freestyle in a season-best and NCAA consideration time of 23.52 at the Big Ten Championships.
"She is such a talented swimmer for this team," Wright-Eger said. "Today she showed her senior leadership and really stepped up the intensity level. She was so big for us today."
Off the diving boards, the Boilers stunned the usually dominate Hawkeyes by claiming first in both events. Freshman Molly MacFarlane took first place in the one-meter divng competion and second in the one-meter optional diving, while sophomore Kara Hajek won the optional one-meter diving and placed third in the one-meter diving competition.
"Whenever, you go out and beat the Hawkeyes on the diving boards, that is a true testiment of the skilled student-athletes and the job Jim Mountjoy has done for our program," Wright-Eger said. "These divers have worked very hard and their efforts are being rewarded."
Back in the water, sophomore Missy Browley racked up points for the Boilers by finishing first in the 100 backstroke and second in the 200 backstroke. Senior Tracy Storrier also collected points by finishing second in the 100 breaststroke and third in the 200 breaststroke.
The Boilers' will hit the waters next on Nov. 6, when they travel to Muncie, Ind. for a showdown with interstate rival, the Ball State Cardinals.