Nov. 20, 2005
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The best season in Purdue history got a little better Sunday night, as the 21st-ranked Boilermakers defeated No. 4 Florida and No. 17 Tennessee at the Purdue Invitational.
The Boilermakers scored 880 points, beating the Gators by nearly 200 points, 880 to 683. The Lady Vols placed third with 670 points.
Rounding out the seven-team field were Missouri (483.5), Northwestern (443.5), Southern Illinois (208) and Missouri State (182).
"Our success was a result of focus and depth," said head coach Cathy Wright-Eger. "Some of our athletes are more focused than they've ever been and it's trickling down to others."
Purdue began Sunday with a comfortable 78-point lead over Tennessee, which the Vols and Gators were anxious to chip into, starting with the 200 backstroke.
The Boilermakers' lead was cut to 39 after the Vols' Jacque Fessel won the race in 1:57.39, which was her second NCAA automatic qualifying time of the weekend. Florida gained ground after claiming the fourth through sixth-place points.
Purdue responded immediately by scoring five individuals in both the 100 freestyle and 200 breaststroke, then scored seven in the 200 fly to clinch the team championship.
Junior Carlene Takaki and sophomore transfer Stacie Lesneski finished first and second in the 200 fly, with Takaki posting an NCAA provisional cut of 2:00.31. Lesneski's runner-up time was clocked at 2:01.74.
The diver's efforts served as insurance points. Junior Amanda Miller won the platform title with 278.25 points and Carrie McCambridge was second with 247.90. Sophomore Lauren Hallyburton scored a fourth-place total of 208.75 points.
Purdue ended its night with a third-place finish in the 400 freestyle relay. The team, which was comprised of Erica Chandler, Kimbre Vogel, Lauren Willis and Susan Hentschel, recorded a time of 3:25.52.
Although Chandler didn't add any more victories Sunday, Wright-Eger was still very impressed with the senior's overall weekend.
"I just want Erica to go out there and do her best, I'm not concerned with where she finishes," said Wright-Eger. "She is enjoying herself this year, and she's spreading her success to other members of the team."
Purdue will have close to two months off from competition as it heads for Winter Break. The team next competes Jan. 5, 2006, when it ventures to Los Angeles for a battle with UCLA.