WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The men's captains at the pool have been officially designated as head coach Dan Ross revealed swimmers Nick Sherman, Blake Ratliff and Liam Walker join diver Jordan Rzepka as the leaders of the program for the upcoming 2022-23 season.
Sherman is back for a fifth year, exercising an eligibility extension while pursing a master's degree in mechanical engineering. The program record holder in the 200 freestyle and 200 individual medley is a three-year All-American and three-time medalist at the Big Ten Championships with Purdue's record-setting relay teams.
Rzepka won silver on both 3-meter and platform in his debut at Big Tens last season. He was a championship finalist on the tower and also scored on 1-meter at NCAAs before going to represent USA Diving on 1-meter at the FINA World Championships in Budapest.
Ratliff and Walker are both Academic All-Big Ten honorees who rank among the program's all-time fastest in their top events. Ratliff posted career-best times in the 200 and 400 IM as well as the 200 back last season. At his best in the butterfly, Walker moved up to fourth place in the 200 and 10th in the 100 with his career bests at Big Tens in February. He also demonstrated his versatility by earning a spot on the 800 free relay team at Big Tens.
Sherman served among Purdue's captains last season and has earned the right to compete at NCAAs each of the last three seasons.
The Boilermakers open their season the weekend of Oct. 14 to 15 with their first-ever trip to Columbia for a two-day dual at Missouri.
Sherman is back for a fifth year, exercising an eligibility extension while pursing a master's degree in mechanical engineering. The program record holder in the 200 freestyle and 200 individual medley is a three-year All-American and three-time medalist at the Big Ten Championships with Purdue's record-setting relay teams.
Rzepka won silver on both 3-meter and platform in his debut at Big Tens last season. He was a championship finalist on the tower and also scored on 1-meter at NCAAs before going to represent USA Diving on 1-meter at the FINA World Championships in Budapest.
Ratliff and Walker are both Academic All-Big Ten honorees who rank among the program's all-time fastest in their top events. Ratliff posted career-best times in the 200 and 400 IM as well as the 200 back last season. At his best in the butterfly, Walker moved up to fourth place in the 200 and 10th in the 100 with his career bests at Big Tens in February. He also demonstrated his versatility by earning a spot on the 800 free relay team at Big Tens.
Sherman served among Purdue's captains last season and has earned the right to compete at NCAAs each of the last three seasons.
The Boilermakers open their season the weekend of Oct. 14 to 15 with their first-ever trip to Columbia for a two-day dual at Missouri.