Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/479659
GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 25 • 26 BY TRAVIS BAUGH TBaugh@Purdue.edu P urdue's senior swimmers made it a pri- ority to find a phrase to rally around before the season started. After a fifth-place finish at the Big Ten Championships, which matched the Boilermakers' highest since they finished fourth in 2010, they'll get one last chance to "light a fire" at the NCAA Champion- ships in Greensboro, N.C., this weekend. "I think the seniors, the captains spe- cifically, did a really good job of making sure 'light a fire' was instilled every day and at every compe- tition," Emily Fogle said. "I think that carried on through the Big Tens and will carry on through the NCAA Championships." Purdue brings one of its strongest groups in recent memory to the national meet with seven swimmers, including five individuals. The Boilermakers last had five swimmers qualify for individual events in 2011. "So far, we've really been excited with the way our season has gone," Coach John Klinge said. "We're taking a good group. (Qualifying five individu - als) is a really good thing. We just want to make sure we do some damage and put some points on the board for Purdue." Rhiannon Sheets leads a group of five upperclassmen with a combined eight NCAA appear- ances between them. Sheets, a four-time NCAA qualifier, has Purdue's best indi- vidual seed at No. 19 in the 200 freestyle courtesy of a school-re- cord time (1:45.16) and ranks No. 36 in the 200 butterfly as well. The Carmel, Ind., native said after three NCAA appearances, she's learned to not let the magnitude of the meet over- whelm her. "You deserve to be there just as much as the No. 1 seed, just as much as the No. 50 seed," Sheets said. "You all got yourself there and just have to keep it small and do what you need to do. I really just want to go out with no regrets." Fogle returns to the NCAAs for a third time after a two-year hiatus due to injury. She competed at the national meet in 2011 and 2012 and had already qualified for the 2013 NCAAs in November 2012 be - fore an injury kept her from competing for Purdue for two years. Fogle's comeback season has been impressive, highlighted by a team-best- tying fourth-place finish at the Big Tens in the 200 breaststroke and helping Purdue 'LIGHT A FIRE' Women's swimming hungry for success at NCAAs Purdue Francesca Marr is ranked No. 27 in the 200 breast for the NCAAs. SHOP OFFICIAL PURDUE GEAR BASKETBALL FEVER FOLLETT'S PURDUE BOOKSTORES Purdue West - Black & Gold Mine /FollettsPurdueBookstores follettspurdue.com Purdue Rhiannon Sheets is now a four-time NCAA Qualifier. set a new school record in 200 medley relay. Fogle is seeded No. 26 in the 200 breaststroke and will also compete in the 100 breastroke. "To me, it's a win just to be at the meet after being out the last couple years," Fogle said. "Obviously, the goal isn't just to make the meet — it's to do something at the meet