Jan. 15, 2000
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue women's swimming and diving team edged out Big Ten foe Michigan State 125-118 in dual meet action Saturday afternoon. Led by a sweep in the 100 freestyle and a meet clinching victory in the final event, the 200 free relay, Purdue was able to come back from an early deficit to steal the victory away from the Spartans. The Boilermakers (6-0, 4-0) remained undefeated in their final home meet of the season.
"We're very happy with our performance today," coach Cathy Wright-Eger said. "Michigan State is a program that is very similar to ours. It was a very competitive meet, but I think we just out raced them. We were swimming hard and finishing strong into the wall."
Trailing 76-74 after eight events the Boilermakers received a boost when junior Ginger Lakos, sophomore Katie Mullarkey and freshman Kim Paradeise took the top three spots, respectively, in the 100 freestyle. Lakos swam a season best time of 52.19 to win the event.
"The sweep in the 100 free was a key to the meet," Wright-Eger said. "Our sprinters had an opportunity to get us back into the competition, they accepted the challenge and really rose to the occasion."
Leading 90-79 after the 100 free, the Boilermakers could do no better than third in the 200 backstroke allowing their lead slip to a narrow two-point margin 95-93. The lead would see-saw back and forth between the two teams with Michigan State taking over the lead after the 500 free, only to have Purdue gain it back in the 200 breaststroke.
Leading 114-112 the Boilermakers' free relay team of senior Nikki Lively, junior Missy Bromely, freshman Lisa Dolansky and sophomore Katie Mullarkey touched out Michigan State's team by six tenths of a second to seal the comeback win for Purdue. Their time of 1:36.31 was a team best time.
"The free relay team really came through for us," Wright-Eger said. "That group had never swum together as a relay and were put to the test by Michigan State. They swam a great race and really pulled through for us."
Sophomore Kelly Mackus and junior Ginger Lakos both had impressive meets. Mackus won the 1000 free, took second in the 500 free and third in the 200 IM, all in season best times. Lakos, in addition to winning the pivotal 100 free, also took first in the 200 free and was on the winning 400 medley relay team.
"Kelly (Mackus) had a fantastic day," assistant coach Darlene Renie said. "Her performance in the 500 free was the fastest I have ever seen her swim during her time at Purdue. Our relays came through as did the sprinters, it was a great team win."
The Boilermakers will head to Minneapolis Jan. 29-30 to compete against Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois.