Nov. 2, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill. -- After posting very quality early-season times in two dual-meet losses against ranked opponents to begin the year, Northwestern returns to the Norris Aquatics Center to face Purdue in a combined meet with the men's squad.
The Wildcats began the year against No. 1 California and No. 17 Indiana, and this week take on a Boilermaker squad that was ranked No. 25 in the preseason poll before falling out after a loss to No. 22 Arizona State. Purdue is receiving 17 points in this week's poll.
Northwestern has a ton of swimmers who rate in the top-5 in the conference in early season action. Junior Andrea Hupman (Lawrenceville, Ga./Brookwood) currently has the fastest times in the Big Ten in both the 100 free (50.29) and the 200 free (1:48.83). Freshman Kassia Shishkoff (Raleigh, N.C./St. David's School) is ranked third in the 500 free (4:51.85) and fourth in the 1,000 free (9:59.75).
Junior Jessie Bailis (Omaha, Neb./Millard North) also rates fourth in the Big Ten in the 100 breast with a 1:03.87, while junior Katie Braun (Edina, Minn./Edina) is third with a 55.46 in the 100 fly.
Northwestern's 200 free relay (1:34.57) and 400 free relay (3:27.30) both have the second-fastest times in the Big Ten so far this year.
This meet marks the first of three-consecutive home meets for Northwestern, all of which will be combined with the men. The Wildcats take on Wisconsin on November 10 before hosting the TYR Invitational Nov. 17-19.