WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Swimming & Diving will be well represented in eight events at the World University Games in Germany as five Boilermakers compete for country at the XXXII Summer Universiade.
Sophie McAfee, Max Miller, Holden Higbie and Kaden Springfield are all set to compete for USA Diving. Matheo Mateos will race for Paraguay. McAfee and Springfield from the 10-meter platform, Miller and Higbie are entered in springboard events. Mateos has opted to focus on the 50-meter butterfly and 200 individual medley.
BOILERMAKERS AT THE WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES
• Sophie McAfee (USA) – 10-Meter, Mixed 10-Meter Synchro (with Springfield), Team 3M & 10M Diving, 10-Meter Synchro (with Lanie Gutch)
• Max Miller (USA) – 1-Meter, 3-Meter, Mixed 3-Meter Synchro (with Ellie Joyce)
• Holden Higbie (USA) – 1-Meter
• Kaden Springfield (USA) – 10-Meter, Mixed 10-Meter Synchro (with McAfee)
• Matheo Mateos (Paraguay) – 50m Fly, 200m IM
The Rhine-Ruhr region of Western Germany is serving as the host of the World University Games from July 16-27, but the swimming & diving events are all being contested in Berlin at the Schwimm- und Sprunghalle im Europasportpark (SSE). With a seating capacity of 4,200, the venue is said to be one of the largest aquatic centers in Europe, featuring two 50-meter pools as well an Olympic dive well. Germany also hosted the Summer Universiade in 1989.
McAfee won bronze on 10-meter in her World University Games two years ago in China. She enjoyed another signature moment earlier this month when she won gold on the tower at the Bolzano Diving Meeting in Italy, a World Aquatics-recognized showcase annually held in July.
A Boilermaker has won a medal in an aquatics events at the last three World University Games dating back to 2017.
Mateos, Higbie, Miller and Springfield are all set to make their World University Games debuts. As a 2024 Olympian, Mateos is a veteran of multiple World Championships and Pan American Games.
Later this month, four Purdue Divers are set to compete at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore – a group that will include Jordan Rzepka (10-meter), Daryn Wright (10-meter synchro), Tyler Wills (mixed 10-meter synchro) and David Colturi (27-meter high diving). Associate head coach Mark Bradshaw will be serving as a staff coach for USA Diving and alum Steven LoBue is set to be the head coach of USA Diving’s high divers.
PURDUE’S DAILY SCHEDULES AT WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES
All Times ET – 6-hour Time Difference between the USA’s ETZ and Berlin
Thursday, July 17
• Men’s 50m Fly Prelims (25.04; Mateos Won Heat 3, 42nd Overall)
• Men’s 3-Meter Prelim (350.80; Miller 15th to Advance to Final)
• Mixed 3-Meter Synchro Final (265.65; Miller & Joyce 3rd to Win Bronze)
• Women’s 10-Meter Synchro Final at 10:30 a.m. (McAfee)
• Men’s 50m Fly Semifinals at 1:15 p.m.
Friday, July 18
• Men’s 200m IM Prelims (2:03.41; Mateos 21st Overall)
• Men’s 10-Meter Prelim (336.00; Springfield 12th - Did Not Advance as 3rd of 3 Americans)
• Men’s 3-Meter Final (365.15; Miller 9th)
• Men’s 50m Fly Final at 1:30 p.m.
• Men’s 200m IM Semifinals at 2:35 p.m.
Saturday, July 19
• Women’s 10-Meter Prelim (298.65; McAfee 4th to Advance to Final)
• 3M & 10M Team Diving Final (393.50; USA Diving 4th with McAfee)
• Men’s 10-Meter Final at 9:40 a.m.
• Men’s 200m IM Final at 2:35 p.m.
Sunday, July 20
• Women’s 10-Meter Final (322.15; McAfee 4th)
Monday, July 21
• Men’s 1-Meter Prelim (337.65, 334.80; Miller 5th, Higbie 6th to Advance to Final)
Tuesday, July 22
• Men’s 1-Meter Final (335.95, 328.55; Miller 5th, Higbie 7th)
Wednesday, July 23
• Mixed 10-Meter Synchro Final (291.36; McAfee & Springfield 2nd to Win Silver)
SUMMER MEDALISTS SO FAR
• Sophie McAfee – Gold on 10-Meter at Bolzano Diving Meeting, Silver in Mixed Team Diving at American Cup
• Daryn Wright – Gold in 10-Meter Synchro at American Cup, Silver in 10-Meter Synchro at Bolzano Diving Meeting
• Max Miller – Silver in Mixed Team Diving at American Cup
• Nathaniel Grannis (Incoming Freshman) – Silver in 3-Meter Synchro at Canada Cup & American Cup
5 Boilers to Represent Swim-Dive at World University Games
Purdue to have entries in 8 events at the Summer Universiade in Berlin