Nov. 18, 2004
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Purdue got off to a fast start during the first morning of preliminaries at the North Carolina Nike Cup. Three individuals qualified for super finals and the C and D-level relays finished first and second in the 200 freestyle and 400 medley.
The Nike Cup's format showcases every team's C and D relays during prelims, with the A and B relays competing at night. The prelims and finals times are then combined to determine placement.
Head coach Cathy Wright-Eger believes the performances of the lower-tier relays will have a positive affect on her A and B squads.
"The success of the C and D relays will motivate our four relay teams tonight," said Wright-Eger. "They serve as a catalyst, because swimmers have this competitive mentality that says, `if they're swimming fast, then we're swimming faster'."
In the 200 free relay, the squad of Jennifer Merte, Shannon Grace, Katharine Telfer and Rachel Sitarz posted a winning time of 1:35.45. Brandy Keever, Carlene Takaki, Lauren Hyman and Abby Kiffmeyer comprised the runner-up team that finished in 1:37.73.
In the 400 medley relay, Keever along with Rory Belk, Merte and Katie Seleskie won in 3:51.31. Second-place honors were earned by Sitarz, Erica Chandler, Kiffmeyer and Lauren Willis.
Wright-Eger said the relay dominance could make up for the divers' absence. Diving coach Wenbo Chen took his roster to compete against Big Ten opponents at the Minnesota Invitational, which begins Friday.
Another interesting aspect involving the Nike Cup's format is the inclusion of a four-woman superfinal, which follows the consolation and final rounds. The finals feature the 5th through 8th placewinners, and the consolations feature the 9th through 20th placewinners; however, only the top 16 finishers can score.
Purdue exited prelims with three super finals representatives: Susan Hentschel in the 500 free, Tracy Duchac in the 50 free and team captain Christine Leupold in the 200 individual medley and 50 free.
Hentschel placed third in the 500 free (4:54.08) and Duchac was second in the 50 free (23.12). Leupold was the runner-up in the 200 IM (2:04.62) and fourth in the 50 free (23.34).
Incredibly, Duchac and Leupold were two of five Boilermakers to finish among the top eight in the 50 free, along with Hentschel, Kimbre Vogel and Jenae Gill. Willis, Sitarz and Seleskie placed among the top 16.
Also earning night swims were Belk, Merte, Chandler, Vogel and Grace in the 200 IM, and Yvonne Laaper and Telfer in the 500 free.
Thursday's finals begin at 6 p.m. with the 200 free relay.