COLUMBUS, Ohio – Headlined by four sub 19-second 50 freestyle splits from Jānis Dzirkalis, Purdue Men’s Swimming posted a pair of top-five times in team history in the 200 relays at the Ohio State Winter Invite.
The Boilermakers fielded two quartets in both the 200 freestyle and 200 medley relays. Nathaniel Thomas, Alex Hotta, Dylan Burau and Dzirkalis teamed up for an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 1:16.80 in a 200 free time trial, posting the third-fastest time in team history.
In the finals session Friday evening, Hotta (18.79) and Dzirkalis (18.72) both eclipsed 19 seconds with their 50 splits, marking the first time ever Purdue had two sub 19-second splits on the same relay. That also represented Dzirkalis’ best time of the weekend.
Dzirkalis’ 50 Free Splits on Anchor Legs
• 200 Free Time Trial: 18.78
• 200 Free Relay Finals: 18.72
• 200 Medley Time Trial: 18.92
• 200 Medley Relay Finals: 18.87
Thomas moved into sixth place in program history in the 50 free with his leadoff leg split of 19.38 on the time trial. Only leadoff leg splits on relays also qualify towards all-time leaderboards for the individual events.
Saturday, Hotta, Lucas Byrd, Thomas and Dzirkalis won the 200 medley relay to open the finals session with a time of 1:24.11. That time was good for fourth in team history
The Boilermakers will have another opportunity to take down the team records and achieve NCAA Championships qualifying times in the 200 relays at the Big Ten Championships. Wisconsin hosts the men’s meet for the first time since the 1970s, with the meet dates set for Feb. 25-28.
200 Free Relay – Friday
Thomas, Hotta, Burau & Dzirkalis, 1:16.80 (B Cut) – Time Trial; 3rd in Team History
Thomas leadoff leg split of 19.38 is 6th in Team History in 50 Free
Thomas, Hotta, Burau & Dzirkalis, 1.16.91 (B Cut) – Finished 2nd
Hotta also sub 19 seconds (18.79) on 2nd leg of race
Callahan, Byrd, Rowe & Kelly, 1:19.95 – Time Trial; Purdue’s 4th Fastest this Season
Callahan leadoff leg split of 20.28 is lifetime best in 50 Free
Callahan, Rowe, Byrd & Kelly, 1:20.70 – Finished 3rd
200 Medley Relay – Saturday
Hotta, Byrd, Thomas & Dzirkalis, 1:24.11 – Event Winner; 4th in Team History
Hotta leadoff leg split of 21.27 is lifetime best in 50 Back
Burau, J. Lee, Hotta & Dzirkalis, 1:24.77 – Time Trial; Purdue’s 3rd Fastest this Season
Burau leadoff leg split of 21.63 is lifetime best in 50 Back
Kelly, Byrd, Thomas & Callahan, 1:26.76 – Time Trial
Kelly leadoff leg split of 22.75 matched his lifetime best in 50 Back
Burau, J. Lee, Kelly & Callahan, 1:26.98 – Finished 2nd
