Nov. 19, 2004
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Purdue put itself in position to retain its lead at the Nike Cup, claiming six competitors for Friday night's super finals. The Boilermakers' 200 medley and 800 freestyle `C' relays also won their respective competitions.
No. 20 Purdue entered the second day of competition holding 140.5-point lead over host North Carolina, 355 to 214.5. The two front runners are trailed by Virginia Tech (178.5), Kansas (161), Clemson (144), East Carolina (82), Syracuse (57) and Florida International (0).
Purdue dominated the 200 freestyle, as Christine Leupold, Erica Chandler and Susan Hentschel captured the top three places. Leupold's time of 1:48.68 is an NCAA provisional mark and the team's best mark of the season. Chandler (1:50.49) and Hentschel (1:50.71) also posted `B' standards.
The Boilermakers earned super final appearances in the 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke and 100 breaststroke, as well. Freshman Jennifer Lavers stunned the 100 breast field with her winning mark of 1:03.00; Jenae Gill finished as the runner-up in the 100 back at 56.69 and Carlene Takaki placed third in the 100 fly at 55.74. All three times were season bests, with Lavers' doubling as an NCAA provisional mark.
Purdue began Friday's prelims similar to Thursday's, sweeping the top two spots in the opening relay. The Boilermaker `C' relay of Brandy Keever, Rory Belk, Abby Kiffmeyer and Lauren Willis were the winners at 1:47.47. Purdue's `D' relay of Rachel Sitarz, Chandler, Jennifer Merte and Katie Seleskie completed the course in 1:48.17.
The Boilermakers were hoping to accomplish the same in the 800 free relay, but the `D' relay settled for fourth, finishing behind the Kansas and North Carolina `C' relays. Purdue's `C' team won the prelim in 7:40.98.
Although the super finalists' points are almost a guarantee, Purdue will still need strong swims from its consolation finalists in order to maintain its lead.
The Boilermakers have four individuals competing in the finals of the 400 individual medley, 100 back and 100 breast. Katharine Telfer, Willis and Seleskie will go again in the finals of the 200 free, while Takaki will be joined by freshman Abby Kiffmeyer in the 100 fly.