Nov. 18, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Senior Carlene Takaki won the 100 fly Saturday night at the IU Open Invitational, highlighting Purdue's second day of competition. Takaki beat the field by over two seconds with an NCAA provisional cut of 54.96.
Takaki also was part of the third-place 200 medley relay (1:44.65), a time which greatly impressed head coach Cathy Wright-Eger.
"Both our medley relays are shaping up to be really good this season. We are recording times equal to what we were doing last year at this point in the season, and we're doing it without our top backstroker (Jenae Gill)."
Senior Kimbre Vogel has been more than reliable subbing for Gill, swimming a leadoff 50-yard back split of 27.41. Gill is currently recovering from an injury, but is projected to rejoin the team in January.
The Boilermakers showcased their depth in the 100 breast, claiming four of the top eight spots; they also earned five of the top 12 positions off the 3-meter springboard.
Jennifer Lavers led Purdue in the 100 breast with her third-place time of 1:04.04. Shannon Grace placed fourth in 1:04.69; freshman Leah Pierce was seventh in 1:05.86 and Rory Belk was eighth in 1:06.14. Jennifer Merte placed outside the top eight, but recorded a personal best of 1:05.89 in the consolation final.
Amanda Miller was the Boilermakers' top finisher off the 3-meter, collecting 280.95 points. Teammate Chelsea Johnson placed close behind with 279.35 points.
Not all the results pleased Wright-Eger. She was especially disappointed with the effort of her 800 free relay that placed fourth in 7:36.69, but saw a lot of potential from freshman Leah Henninger.
"It's not easy swimming the 200 free more than once in the same night, but we weren't even in the race. We have to be a lot tougher ... Leah had two great swims in the 200 free. She had a p.r. of 1:53.88 and then lowered that in the relay with a 1:53.70. I thought that was phenomenal."
Purdue concludes its stay in Bloomington Sunday with Wright-Eger projecting her team will have its best day yet.
"We had a ton of swims today and we still have our best events ahead of us. Our younger swimmers are quickly learning that you need to produce two fast swims each day of any championship."