The Purdue women were on fire today, blasting a win in the 200 medley relay and then garnering victories in the 1000 and 200 free directly after.
They got a great breaststroke leg from Emily Fogle, who turned in a 27.90 to give Purdue a big lead that they wouldn’t give up in that relay. Next, Kaersten Meitz fended off OSU’s Lindsey Clary in the 1000 free. Clary had been right behind Meitz the entire race, and despite a furious final 50 (26.87) from the Buckeye, Meitz touched first at 9:46.29 over Clary (9:46.44).
Senior Boilermaker Alexa Davis showed up big-time in the 200 free, unleashing a 1:46.76 to take the 200 free. She was the only swimmer under 1:50 in the race, and places herself at #4 in the country (though USA Swimming NCAA rankings are not yet updated through this weekend). Davis had a big meet at U.S. Nationals this summer, touching 10th in the 400m free and making the A final to finish 7th in the 200m free, dipping under 2:00 in the latter. This is shaping up to be a big year for the Purdue senior, and her name has to be on the radar now as a potential NCAA finals contender.
Davis was a tank today, later taking the 500 free (4:49.50) and giving OSU sprinter Liz Li a heck of a race in the 100 free. Li would prevail in 50.04, but Davis was just a hair behind at 50.08. Li took control of the 50 free, turning in a big 22.98, just a hundredth off of her season best.
Purdue’s other double winners included senior Emily Fogle and junior Meagan Lim— after Fogle’s stellar showing in the medley relay, she returned to earn NCAA ‘B’ cuts while winning both the 100 breast (1:01.63) and 200 breast (2:15.04). Lim dominated the butterfly events, claiming the 100 in 55.35 and the 200 in 2:00.86.
Ohio State eked out wins in the backstroke events– first, Camey Rabold touched in at 55.15 to take the 100, then Zulal Zeren earned the W in the 200, clocking a 1:59.19. They also got a top finish from Meg Bailey, who won he 200 IM in 2:03.84 in a close victory over Purdue’s Lim (2:04.27).
Finally, Purdue took the 400 free relay, getting stand-out splits from Davis (50.59 lead off) and Meitz (49.84 anchor).
FINAL SCORES
- Purdue 167 – 133 OSU
- Purdue 169 – 123 Notre Dame
- OSU 176 – 113 Notre Dame
Coach John Klinge rules!