Nov. 11, 2005
COLUMBUS, Ohio - No. 21 Purdue was warming down when it recevied word that it had beaten both Michigan and Ohio State at Friday afternoon's triangular, thus spoiling any opportunity for an impromptu celebration.
The Boilermakers knew they had their way with the host Buckeyes, 231-69, but didn't realize they beat Michigan for the first time in program history until the diving results were added in following the meet's conclusion.
"It's a fun day to be a Boilermaker," said Cathy Wright-Eger. "We came out confident and ready to win, but we also managed to have fun out there while remaining focused. We're very excited and encouraged by today's results."
Purdue beat No. 14 Michigan, 156-144, giving the program its first win and only win over the Wolverines in 30 years of competition.
The Boilermakers won half of the 16 events, with Erica Chandler, Carrie McCambridge, Shannon Grace and Carlene Takaki each winning two. Purdue's depth also proved to be a factor, as it collected the second and third-place points in the 50 and 100 freestyle and the 200 backstroke.
A week removed from a tough meet against Northwestern and Michigan State, McCambridge's name was back on top of the diving leaderboard. The senior All-American won the 1-meter springboard with a score of 268.40 points, and totaled 332.15 points off the 3-meter springboard. Teammate Amanda Miller, last week's Big Ten Diver of the Week, placed second (266.80) and third (268.70) off each board.
OSU's Anesa Beard was the runner-up off the 3-meter, finishing over 65 points behind McCambridge.
Chandler may be one of the hottest swimmers in the conference after she added another two individual victories to her ever-growing total. Friday, the versatile senior from Snohomish, Wash., won the 400 individual medley (4:21.67) and 500 free (4:52.66), but finished second to Michigan All-American Susan Gilliam in the 1,000 free, 9:55.87 to 9:57.97.
The dual wins from Takaki and Grace both came within their respective primary strokes, as Takaki swept the 100 and 200 butterfly, and Grace won the 100 and 200 breaststroke. Takaki's winning times were listed at 55.39 and 2:00.36, beating Ohio State's Gulsah Gunec in each race.
Grace beat teammate Jennifer Lavers by the narrowest of margins, 1:04.55 to 1:04.61, in the 100 breast, then beat Michigan's Justin Mueller in the 200 breast, 2:20.32 to 2:21.20.
Friday's wins lifted Purdue's overall dual record to 5-0 and 4-0 in the Big Ten. Although the Boilermakers are off to a great start against the conference, Wright-Eger is refusing to think about the conference championships.
"It's too early to say how we'll do there, but today was definitely a step in the right direction," said Wright-Eger.
Purdue returns home next Friday, Nov. 18, to play host to the three-day, six-session Boilermaker Invitational. Missouri, Tennessee and Northwestern are among the schools scheduled to compete.