ROSEMONT, Ill. – Daryn Wright and Jānis Dzirkalis earned Big Ten weekly honors after helping Purdue Swimming & Diving sweep its co-ed dual vs. Missouri by each winning both of their individual events.
Wright was a repeat winner of the women’s Big Ten Diver of the Week award. Dzirkalis was honored as the men’s Big Ten Freshman of the Week. In Saturday’s victories vs. Mizzou, Wright swept the springboard diving events and Dzirkalis swept the freestyle sprints while also contributing to both of the Boilermakers’ relay winners.
Wright’s ninth career Big Ten Diver of the Week honor makes her the most-recognized female in Purdue history, breaking a tie with Hall of Famer Carrie McCambridge (2003-06). Wright has opened her senior season 4-for-4 in event victories over the first two meets.
Dzirkalis also went 4-for-4 Saturday, winning the 50 (19.70) and 100 free (44.24) individually and contributing to Purdue’s wins in the 200 medley and 400 free relays. He anchored the medley relay team to victory with a race-best 50 split of 19.15. His 100 free split of 43.55 on the second leg was second best among the race field behind only relay-mate Alex Hotta (43.51).
Brody LePine, Jonah Lee and Hotta joined Dzirkalis on the victorious 200 medley relay team – making three-quarters of it freshmen. Nathaniel Thomas and Andy Kelly were the other half of the victorious 400 free relay team.
Wright again posted a pair of NCAA Zone qualifying scores on both springboards. Her 1-meter score (316.05) was a team season best.
Diver Holden Higbie was the Purdue men’s last Big Ten Freshman of the Week honoree in January 2024. Pat Broderick (November 2023) was Purdue’s last men’s swimmer to earn the accolade.
With Blake Rowe being named the men’s Big Ten Swimmer of the Week on Oct. 1 after the season-opening weekend, Purdue Swimming & Diving has had at least one Big Ten weekly honoree following each of its first three weekends of competition.
The Boilermakers are idle this weekend before returning to action Halloween Weekend for a two-day triple dual vs. Oakland and Cincinnati in Rochester, Mich.
Wright, Dzirkalis Earn Big Ten Weekly Honors
Daryn Wright repeats as Diver of the Week, Jānis Dzirkalis honored as Freshman of the Week.