Nov. 14, 2007

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The No. 20 Missouri women's swimming and diving team (7-1, 1-1 Big 12) travels to West Lafayette, Ind., to compete in the Purdue Invitational this Friday through Sunday. Day one action opens Friday at 10 a.m. with finals set to begin at 6 p.m. at the Boilermakers' Holloway Pool. Fans can stay updated on all the latest action with live results posted on purduesports.com. Those attending the event can also take part in the mass penny war between the participating schools taking place alongside the invite, which will benefit Boilermaker Athletics' yearlong cancer benefit.

The Last Go-around

The Tigers last visited West Lafayette for Purdue's annual invite in 2005-06. The women will look to better their fourth-place showing that season, but will face stiff competition in No. 7 Florida, Louisville, Missouri State, Purdue and Southern Illinois.

Holding Firm

The women maintained their No. 20 ranking in the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Top 25 Poll released on Nov. 7. Interestingly enough, the Tigers are currently tied at No. 20 with the Hokies of Virginia Tech, who they soundly thumped (148.50-94.50) on the final day of the Mizzou Dual Challenge.

I'm Not Sharing

Junior Kendra Melnychuk has now been named the Big 12 Conference's Women's Diver of the Week both times the award has been offered this season. The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native was named the conference's top diver for meets Oct. 12-21 and Oct. 22-Nov. 4 in 2007-08 in addition to receiving the honor twice last season.

Double Digits

After a sensational weekend in the diving well during the Mizzou Dual Challenge, Melnychuk now boasts 11 wins on the season. The Canadian has claimed four victories on the 1-meter board and seven others on the on the 3-meter. She is currently undefeated in 3-meter diving competition this season.

Let's Not Forget about...

Sophomore standout Colleen Gordon. The Missouri City, Texas native also holds 11 wins to her name this season. Heading into the Mizzou Dual Challenge earlier this month Gordon had raced to six wins before proceeding to tally five more during the three-day weekend.

Who's Hot

Several other swimmers left the pool red hot after all was said and done at the Mizzou Dual Challenge. Juniors Jill Granger and Lori Halvorson collected a hat trick of wins on the weekend. Senior Taye Patterson also captured three wins over the event's three days. Fellow Canadian and Tiger newcomer Lauren Lavigna tallied two victories on the weekend.

Canadian Win Count = 24

Melnychuk: 11

Patterson: 7

Lavigna: 6

FRIDAY'S ORDER OF EVENTS

10 a.m. (Prelims)

500 Free

200 IM

50 Free

(12 p.m.)

Women 1-meter diving

Men 3-meter diving

6 p.m. (Finals)

200 Free

500 Free

200 IM

50 Free

Women 1-meter diving

Men 3-meter diving

400 Medley Relay