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GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 12 • 37 OLYMPIC ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK: ABBY JAGDFELD O n a team filled with eight returning NCAA qualifiers, it was a freshman who stood out over the weekend for the women's swimming and diving team. Abby Jagdfeld won the 100 free and 200 free to help No. 25 Purdue win the Ohio State Invitational over a talented field that included No. 18 Ohio State, No. 23 Wisconsin and a strong Kentucky squad. "I was proud of my swims this week- end," Jagdfeld said. "It was a fast meet. There was some really good competi- tors there. They weren't easy wins by any means. I had to fight the whole time, but I'm happy with the way it turned out." Jagdfeld broke teammate Rhiannon Sheets' freshman school record in the 100 free (49.78) while also establishing a new program best for a freshman in the 200 free (1:46:40). The Mukwanago, Wis., native also helped boost Purdue to a win in the 400 free relay in 3:19.55, the fifth- fastest time in program history, and was a runner-up finish in the 800 free relay in 7:14.54, the sixth-fastest ever for the Boilermakers. "I would say that I'm swimming pretty well," Jagdfeld said. "Just compared to my performances last year at this time. … I'm definitely doing better than I was before. I think that's mostly due to the higher level of training here." The Ohio State Invitiational was the latest in an impressive start to Jagdfeld's career. Jagdfeld led all competitors with three individual event victories — the 50, 200 and 500 free — in her collegiate de- but against Miami (Ohio). She won the 100 free against Cincinnati and was one of only three multi-event winners for the Boilermakers in a victory over Notre Dame. "She's done a great job since the first day she got here," Coach John Klinge said. "She's really set a certain tone in practice and worked really hard. We expected her to come in and do a really good job right away. Honestly, we hope this is just one step to where she can get to. We think she can keep getting better and do a great job here. She has some high goals and I think she can reach them." Jagdfeld was a highly touted recruit coming out of Waukesha South High School in Wisconsin, where she won a combined three state titles in the 100 free and 200 free to help lead the school to three straight team state titles. Still, she didn't know what to expect entering her fresh - man campaign. Three months later, she has hopes of qualify- ing for the NCAAs individually and as a relay member. "I'm really happy with how well I've done," Jagdfeld said. "I wasn't expecting this well probably. I just love to work hard in the water. If John asked me to go fast the whole practice, I would." Jagdfeld's strong start has helped Purdue get out to one of its best starts in recent history. The Boilermakers won the Indiana Intercollegiates and are 3-1 in dual meets while already avenging their lone loss to Ohio State. The first-place finish at the Ohio State Invitational marked Purdue's first victory at a multi-day invitational meet on the road since November 2004 at North Caro - lina and gives Purdue momentum as it enters a crucial training period before its next meet on Jan. 10 against Michigan State. "Obviously we want to win the meet, but we also want to see certain things we've been working on throughout the year," Klinge said. "For us, we were hap- pier about our performance, our times, the way we han- dled the meet and the competition, the way we were on deck, and the support within the team. Now we just need to refine some things and really gear up for the Big Ten Championships." j — Travis Baugh LINKS PurdueSports.com: Boilermakers beat Indiana Tech, upset No. 18 Iowa PurdueSports.com: Boilermakers close out team win at Ohio State Invitational PurdueSports.com: Boilermakers wrap up their races at Minnesota Grand Prix PurdueSports.com: McClintock earns second career All-America honor PurdueSports.com: Johnson wins third Diver-of-the-Week award of the fall